On Monday, March 6, 2023, the Board of Trustees met to review and finalize the 2023-2024 School Year Budget as follows: The 2023-2024 Operating Budget results in a 2.00% increase in the Special Requirement, no change (0.00%) in the Special Levy, a (4.33%) decrease in the mill rate for 2023, and a $(27.22) annual decrease(1.56%) on a typical home valued at $277,830. The 2023-2024 Budget includes the following: Expected enrollment growth: o In 2022-2023, the Division has experienced the largest yearly student increase of 328 (3.6%) students in over 10 years. o The Brandon School Division is a growing division, for the 2023-2024 school year, we are projecting 9,427 students, an increase of 61 (0.7%) students. OPERATING FUND Increase of 27.34 FTE teaching positions: o 25.84 FTE Teachers for enrollment growth o 1.50 FTE non-ratio teaching positions due to grants and other funding. • Increase of 23.69 FTE support staff: o 4.42 FTE Educational Assistants due to enrollment growth o 18.47 FTE Educational Assistants due to additional special needs funding o 0.18 FTE Lunchroom Education Assistants due to enrollment growth o 0.62 FTE Custodial Assistant positions due to enrollment growth and school additions • The Board reinstated the following 4.00 FTE positions eliminated previously due to budget reductions: o Supervision of Facilities – 1.00 FTE o Psychologist – 1.00 FTE o Research and Evaluation Specialist – 1.00 FTE o Human Resource Assistant – 1.00 FTE • Changed a Maintenance Worker III position into a Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) position. • The budget provides for the following inflationary increases: o 4% for school instructional budgets and other controllable supplies and services o 25% for cleaning supplies o no increase (0%) for professional development o 8% for computer equipment and capital and maintenance expenditures • Replacement of school buses will be funded through the school bus capital reserve. • Allocation of $100,000 towards the replacement of school paging systems. • No increase to the special levy, the Division’s school year education property taxes are maintained at the 2020 rate.

On March 6, 2023, at approximately 9:00 pm, police received a complaint of a disturbance at a business in the 800 block of Pacific Avenue.  Two males were reportedly having a disagreement when one of the males bit the other male’s finger causing a significant laceration.  Members attended and located the same 33-year-old male from the above noted incident.  He was arrested for Assault and lodged at the Brandon Police Service in order to prevent any additional incidents.  He will be released later today on an Appearance Notice and he is scheduled to appear in court in May.

On March 5, 2023, police received a report of a theft from a business in the 900 block of Victoria Avenue.  A 33-year-old male decided to leave the store without paying for earrings and a shaving kit.  Members located the male in the area and arrest him for Theft under $5,000.  He was later released on an Undertaking and he is scheduled to appear in court in May.

On March 3, 2022 at 11:40 pm, members of BPS Organized Crime Section executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1000 block of 10th street following an investigation into the occupants. As a result, police located and seized 175 grams of Cocaine, 13 grams of Psilocybin, cash, a loaded Churchill 12 gauge shotgun, a Maverick Arms 12 gauge shotgun with collapsible stock, a Mossberg .22 caliber sawed off rifle, numerous 12 gauge and .22 caliber ammunitions, machetes, a C02 Glock pistol, as well as packaging materials and a scale. Arrested were a 19-year-old male and a 22-year-old female. The male was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine and Psilocybin, Possession of the Proceeds of Crime, Unauthorized Possession of Firearm X3, Unsafe Storage of Firearm X3, Possession of a Weapon, and under the Body Armor and Vehicle Fortifications Act – Possess Body Armor. The female was arrested and released.  She will appear in court on May 11, 2023 on similar charges.

The Edge: A Community for All The Edge earned its name from its location sitting on the cusp of the southeast end of Brandon, Manitoba. Once complete, the apartment community will offer the city 252 much-needed residential units. With seven buildings in total, each will offer a blend of three-bedroom units, two-bedroom units and one-bedroom units with features such as in-suite laundry, spacious balconies with views, and well-planned layouts. “Demand for rental housing is stronger than ever in Brandon.  Our customers are asking for a few more amenities than what is available in a typical rental building in the market.  The Edge will be a nice match of location and amenities for our customers.  By offering a fitness facility, additional storage options, pet-friendly units, outdoor recreation space as well as a dog run, we are filling a niche that isn’t available at many properties in Brandon.” – Jason Roblin, CEO of Vionell Holdings Partnership Ensuring that the multi-unit development offered amenities that cater to different demographics was important to Vionell Holdings. Not only are the units themselves equipped with desirable features, the community will provide amenities such as a private fitness center in each building that is exclusive for tenant use, secure access, ample parking, additional storage units for rent, bike racks, community gardens and a dog run. “Planning and development for The Edge have been underway for a while, but the interest doesn’t spike until residents of Brandon see movement on site and as the first building nears completion, we’ve had a lot of interest in the project and the units, which is exciting for not only us but our prospective tenants” Katie McMillan, VP of Operations Phase one is estimated to be complete and ready for occupancy in the fall of 2023. Those who are interested in being added to the wait list should email Vionell Holdings at info@vhproperties.ca