Educational Services: The Margaree Community-Operated Public School will need to maintain a good working relationship with the regional school board in order to optimize the educational services available to its students. The costs and benefits of each service will be assessed in determining the allocation of contracts to the School Board or other institutions.

Capital Expenditures: The top priorities for capital expenditures are the school roof, windows, thermal insulation and exterior surfaces. A redesigned gable roof is seen to be the best long-term solution to the current poorly drained flat roof. The windows need upgrading to double-glazed units for heat conservation. Local tradesmen may be contracted to do the work, and may be asked to donate a significant component of the labour as local equity. Cost sharing arrangements through federal infrastructure grants are being investigated. Co-operation among the Margaree community, the regional school board and the municipal, provincial and federal govemments must be attained. Capital expenditures have not been included in the budget projections that follow.

Additional education and facility use: It is proposed that the Margaree Forks District High School (MFDH), which is slated for closure, become the Margaree 9-12 Community-Operated Public School. There will be surplus space in the school (it has been operating as a Grades 7-12 facility) which can be used for an Adult Learning Centre and public services such as a Public Health and Dental Hygienist office and a Business Centre. It also has the potential of expanding to include other community facilities. There will be both expense (utilities, maintenance, etc.) and revenue (cost-sharing) associated with this expanded use.

Sources of Revenue

The financial plan of the Community-Operated Public School requires that the net per student funding currently received by the regional school board from the Department of Education follow the Margaree students and become the primary source of revenue. Some education services will be purchased from the Department of Education and these will be considered in the calculation of the net per student funding. (Upon the completion of cost-benefit analyses and negotiations, other services may be contracted to the regional school board or to the private sector.)