Saskatoon Public Schools says budget increase won't cover growing enrollment or class complexity
Saskatoon’s public school board says that despite “record” funding from the province this year, the ministry’s allocation to the division doesn’t make the grade.
In a letter to parents on Thursday, Board Chair Kim Stranden and Director of Education Shane Skjerven said the $20.2 million increase to their operating grant announced in last month’s provincial budget won’t account for years of accelerated enrolment growth and rising inflation costs.
“This increase may seem significant, and it is; however, when factoring in an anticipated enrolment increase of 700 students, rising costs due to inflation and the continued increase in students requiring additional support, there is minimal room for further supports, programs and services for students,” the two administrators wrote.
“In recent years, chronic underfunding has resulted in significant organizational reductions.”
As the school board works to finalize its budget for the next school year, the two administrators say they first want to let their stakeholders know about the current “budget realities, the reduction we have made in recent years and the continued chronic underfunding we receive in the Supports for Learning category of the provincial funding formula.”
Saskatoon Public Schools also released a budget information document on Thursday illustrating where they’re seeing the greatest increase in costs, including a $3 million growth in salaries expenses to cover new teachers hired due to enrolment growth and a $2 million increase to cover inflationary costs.
In response to the concerns, the Ministry of Education continued touting the “record increase” of 8.8 per cent in school division funding in this year’s budget.
This is the largest increase ever in school operating funding in Saskatchewan and includes $35 million to continue to support our province’s growing enrolment,” a ministry spokesperson told CTV News in an emailed statement on Friday.
The ministry claims the $35 million it contributed for enrolment growth surpassed the projections it received from the divisions for the upcoming school year.
It also pointed to the multi-year funding for classroom supports negotiated with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association earlier this year and its $900,000 commitment to Saskatoon public and Catholic schools for its specialized support classroom pilot project this year.
Ultimately, the ministry says it’s up to the school divisions to work with what they have.
“School divisions have the responsibility to make staffing and programming decisions within their allocated budget to meet local priorities and address the needs of their students and staff.”
Stranden and Skjerven are still holding out hope for more funds, and they’re calling on parents and caregivers for support.
“We need your help. Make your voice heard and talk to your local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Most of the city is evacuating': Gridlock on Alberta highway after evacuation order in Fort McMurray
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Sask. police seize 1.5M pieces of evidence, lay 60 more charges in child exploitation case
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
'Inappropriate' behaviour shuts down Dublin to New York City portal
Less than a week after two public sculptures featuring a livestream between Dublin, Ireland, and New York City debuted, 'inappropriate behaviour' in real-time interactions between people in the two cities has prompted a temporary shutdown.
Oilers starting Calvin Pickard in goal for Game 4 vs. Canucks
The Edmonton Oilers will start Calvin Pickard in net Tuesday for Game 4 of their playoff series with the Vancouver Canucks.
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker rails against Pride month, working women in commencement speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against Pride month, working women, President Biden's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and abortion during a commencement address at Benedictine College last weekend.
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
King Charles III has unveiled the first portrait of the monarch completed since he assumed the throne, a vivid image that depicts him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a background of similar hues.
Full List Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Alberta announces the 4 health agencies that will replace AHS later this year
The province has released more information on its plan to break up Alberta Health Services and replace it with four sector-based health agencies.
Biden administration moving ahead on US$1 billion arms package for Israel, AP sources say
The Biden administration has told key lawmakers it is sending a new package of more than US$1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, two congressional aides said Tuesday.