East end officials of the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) applauded the recent approval of the board's 2009-2010 budget.

The budget totals $388.5 million.

"As a fiscal conservative, I am proud to have supported three consecutive budgets as a member of the Ottawa Catholic School Board," said Stephen Blais, board trustee for Orléans-Cumberland. "I am also pleased that our budget will enhance services for students at all levels at our schools."

The 2009-2010 budget, includes $150,000 for additional grade nine and 10 science textbooks, $170,000 for child care support to enhance ESL training, $110,000 for elementary arts education and $30,000 for intermediate and secondary arts education.

"Investing in arts programs will benefit our students throughout their lifetime," added Blais. "Our budget will also help new Canadians with strategic investments to our ESL program."

The board will also pay a $2 million debt early, saving $513,000 over the next decade.

"Repaying this debt early will reduce the burden on future generations," said Katalin Sheskay, OCSB trustee for Beacon Hill-Cyrville-Innes. "The budget is balanced, we are increasing services to our students and we are paying down debts ahead of schedule."

The budget also provides educational programming for an estimated 37,200 students with an expected enrolment growth of 0.2 per cent at the secondary level and a decrease of 3 per cent at the elementary level.