(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

"very difficult"

Red Deer Public Schools budget includes $3 million deficit

May 28, 2020 | 7:45 PM

Trustees for Red Deer Public Schools have unanimously approved a $125.8 million budget for the 2020-21 school year.

The budget includes a $3 million deficit that will be covered by operating reserves.

“The complexity of the new [provincial] funding model and the associated cuts that come with it made this a long and difficult budget process. While the province says it is maintaining overall education funding, individual divisions across the province have less money to work with. This will be even more challenging given the uncertainties as we enter a very unpredictable school year,” said Board Chair Nicole Buchanan.

“Our budget process has been thorough and focused on ensuring as many dollars as possible stay in the classroom. Our trustees, as well as our Audit Committee, are confident that we are being prudent in making the very best decisions to meet the needs of students.”

A release states that the net impact of the provincial budget to Red Deer Public is about $1.7 million, with additional cuts topping it up to $3 million.

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The budget also includes:

· Reduced allocations to schools of $140 per student totalling $1.4 million

· No increase to school fees recognizing the challenging economic times facing many families

· Central Services cost reductions of $480,000 through staffing cuts

· Contingency allocation of $200,000

Buchanan says the number of full-time teaching and EA positions that will be lost isn’t yet known.

The budget takes into account the provincial economy, increased insurance costs, the outcomes of collective agreements, and a cap on operating reserves being implemented for the 2022-23 school year.