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This article was published 11/3/2015 (2019 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

​Winnipeg School Division trustees approved a $387.5 million budget late Wednesday that will raise school property taxes 3.2 per cent.

The division said the hike will produce a $38 tax increase on the average home assessed at a value of $171,130.

Trustees decided to add five more schools to the full-day kindergarten pilot project starting in September, but they haven't yet announced how the division will choose those five schools.

​There are currently four schools offering full-day kindergarten. The board had previously indicated adding any additional schools next fall would be unlikely.

"Our communities spoke out in favour of expanding education through the services and programs currently being offered by Winnipeg School Division — many of which aren't available anywhere else in Manitoba," said board chair Mark Wasyliw. "We've committed funds to increase the full-day kindergarten pilot to nine schools, something parents have asked for and we, as a board, support."

The board used surplus funds to improve technology throughout the division.

"Winnipeg School Division is a leader in technology and innovation in Manitoba," said finance chair Sherri Rollins. "The board recognizes that investing in technology is a top priority for both sustainable education and governance. We are pleased to continue to do so through investment from reserve funds."

The school division will hire more educational assistants for students with behaviour disorders and will pay for additional supports for high school fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder programs and for autism-spectrum-disorder programs in junior high.

Trustees also announced they will hire an aboriginal elder and reduce senior staff by one superintendent.

There are also plans to create a building fund for school playgrounds.