NNDSB meeting(File photo) Putting labour negotiations behind them and getting back to the business of education; that’s what Dave Thompson says he’s looking forward to as the calendar will soon turn to 2016.

He says that was the biggest challenge in the last school year and now that it’s over they can get back to focusing on their core business which is student education.

Thompson was acclaimed as the Chair of the Near North District School Board once again.

He says they are happy everyone is back to work and they need to re-focus on the students.

Thompson says coming up in 2016 they will have to deal with another shortfall in funding to the tune of over $1-million.

He adds expanded program and increases in enrollment will be major factors going forward.

Meantime, he says having a budget surplus of $560,000 was a nice touch for the 2014-2015 school year.

Thompson also says they have to come up with a five-year Capital Plan which will set the tone for those next five years.