By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

funding shortfall

STAR Catholic facing $2.1 million loss of provincial funding

Nov 23, 2019 | 10:28 AM

STAR Catholic Schools says it is facing a $2.1 million loss in provincial funding following last month’s budget release.

The division primarily has schools in the Leduc area, but also runs Father Lacombe Catholic in Lacombe, Holy Trinity and St. Anthony in Drayton Valley, and St. Augustine in Ponoka.

In a release, the division says it’s $2.1 million loss of provincial funding equates to $510 per student, and is compounded by a 174 per cent increase in school insurance fees. The eliminated grants were previously used to reduce class sizes and alleviate transportation fees.

At its recent meeting, the board of trustees allocated $1 million of its $1.1 million contingency reserves to overcome a large portion of the shortfall. The remainder of that shortfall will be recovered through new administrative efficiencies, central office supports, and accessing funding reserves at the school level.

“The Board did not wish to lessen shortfall by raising school fees or reducing staff, especially at this point in the school year,” says Board Chair Michelle Lamer. “Unfortunately, utilizing our reserve funds in such a significant way will not be possible after this year, and we will be forced to consider other options.”

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Lamer adds that it is a distressing position to be in.

“We understand divisions across the province are feeling similar effects,” she says. “The Board of Trustees has no doubt about the amount of work to be done and the difficult decisions to be made. As always, we will make those decisions with the best interests of our students, staff, and their families in mind.”