(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

includes $4M deficit

Red Deer Public Schools 2021-22 budget includes COVID recovery plan

May 14, 2021 | 4:21 PM

The Board of Trustees for Red Deer Public Schools has approved a budget for the 2021/2022 school year that includes a deficit of $4 million.

The budget features $120.68 million in revenues and expenses of $124.68 million.

The division will dip into its reserves to cover the deficit to support operating expenses, as well as up to $1 million for a COVID Recovery Plan. The plan includes supporting at-home learning and students transitioning back to the classroom, as well as anticipated needs for mental health and wellness supports related to the pandemic.

“Red Deer Public School Division is actually in a pretty good position with our operating reserves. At the end of August, we project to have our reserves at about $9.6 million, so by using $4 million of our reserves, it will take us down to $5.6 million,” noted Board Chair Nicole Buchanan, who acknowledges the budget deficit didn’t come as a surprise to anyone.

She says the COVID Recovery Plan, is a priority for the district moving forward.

mall went on lockdown

Two youths arrested at Bower Place after firearms complaints

10h ago

future use uncertain

Downtown building removed, but fire-ravaged property next door remains

May 18, 2024

2024 Red Deer grad ceremonies coming up soon

May 18, 2024

“We recognize that there certainly are going to be learning gaps, as well as we’re going to be faced with some mental health challenges from students, staff, and families coming back. This year was certainly unprecedented and it has impacted people greatly.”

Despite the large budget deficit, Buchanan maintains the district’s level of reserves is still in a healthy position.

“It allows us the opportunity not to implement any additional school fees,” she pointed out. “We recognize that because of this unprecedented school year, there are several families that are out there struggling, that have lost employment, as well as being impacted due to the pandemic financially in other ways. To implement school fees this year would have been a really difficult pill to swallow I think, so our school board was completely against school fees.”

Other items impacting the budget include an increase of 7.85 per cent to the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan and an increase to the Canadian Pension Plan rate from 5.25 per cent to 5.45 per cent.

With the anticipation of hopefully returning to ‘near normal’ conditions in September, Buchanan admits the district is still planning for potential COVID-related contingencies should they arise in the fall.

“We have put aside $885,000 for at-home learning support because we believe that we are going to have to continue with some sport of at-home learning for our students,” she remarked.

“We don’t think that it’s realistic to expect all of our students to return. So even if it is a ‘near normal’ return to the 2021/2022 school year, we certainly have put away costs like additional cleaning costs that have been put aside, because we don’t know what we’ll be going into the next school year.”

Buchanan acknowledges all the hard work that families, students, teachers, and staff have all done to help the school community get through these trying times.

“With the transitioning from in-school to at-home learning, everyone is doing the absolute best they can and it is greatly appreciated.”

A report on the approved budget for Red Deer Public Schools can be found here.