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.
'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.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
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.
About 1,000 wildfires confirmed so far this year: Here's a quick look at the situation in Canada
Nearly 1,000 wildfires have burned across Canada so far this year. Here's an overview of the situation in Canada.
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.
American sought after 'So I raped you' Facebook message detained in France on 2021 warrant
An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, 'So I raped you,' has been detained in France after a three-year search.
Tavares scores in OT, rescues Canada from potential upset in 7-6 win over Austria
Captain John Tavares scored 15 seconds into overtime and saved his teammates some embarrassment as Canada held on for a 6-5 win over Austria on Tuesday at the world hockey championship.