Although welcomed, an extra $600 million for education coming this school year did not come as much of a surprise to the Durham public and Catholic school boards. Recently announced by Education Minister Sandra Pupatello, the increased funding is to help support government targets for higher learning and graduation rates.

The announcement was met with "muted optimism" by Michael Barrett, chairman of the Durham District School Board.

"I was hoping for some momentous changes," said Trustee Barrett, who made his way to Toronto to hear the June 12 announcement.

"It was what we had anticipated," added Patricia Manson, director of education for the Durham Catholic District School Board.

"I think it will increase our budget and it appears we will be able to honour all of our collective agreements under the provincial framework."

The increased investment should mean about $14 million, or four-per cent more, for the public board and an estimated $7 million extra for the Catholic board.

"It's going in the right direction... I just wish the ship was moving a little faster," said Trustee Barrett.

He noted there was only a two-per cent increase for transportation costs. Although the announcement contained a funding formula to better recognize the true cost of teacher salaries, it takes away from other envelopes, said Trustee Barrett.

"It didn't meet my expectations because she (the minister) shuffled things around," he said. "The transportation two per cent is laughable."

Ms. Manson and Trustee Barrett both said the budget was more of a movement of funds from how they are currently allocated.

Trustee Barrett said one of the highlights in the announcement was finding out some special-education funding was not going to be removed as rumoured, and in fact, more would be added.

"There is a need for quicker assessments and some of the money will be used for that as well," said Trustee Barrett.

Money has also been included to recognize pocket growth in communities, which could assist with the construction of a new north Oshawa high school and the Pickering High School expansion. Trustee Barrett added he wants more details on how to apply for the funding. Pocket growth is not a challenge currently facing the Catholic board.

"And they still haven't come up with a formula for opening and school closures," said Trustee Barrett, adding it will be four years this fall that school boards have been without a building formula.

Final funding numbers were expected by the board Friday, June 16, but Trustee Barrett said once they get the figures, it will take board staff a week to decipher them.

"We'll be into July before we start to develop any sort of draft budgets," he said.

Aug. 31 is the deadline for boards to submit their budgets to the Province.