Red Deer Public Schools approves budget for 2023/24 school year

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“This budget reflects the Board’s priority to invest in mental health initiatives for all students, as well as to put every available resource into the classroom. We believe the best place to spend our money is on excellence in teaching and learning,” said Chair Nicole Buchanan

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The Board says that ensuring ongoing maintenance and improvements are made to schools has become a draw on the Division’s budget. Related projects include installing a drinking water fountain, replacing a roof, and addressing classroom and washroom upgrades, among others. The Division confirms they will be receiving $1.4 million in Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal Funding, and $712,000 in Capital Maintenance and Renewal Funding, both less than last year.

Another challenge, they say, includes a continued increase in rate costs for benefits like the Alberta School Employee Benefits Plan, Canadian Pension Plan and Employment Insurance, combining to an increased total of about $1,045 per employee.

“The rise in costs for the Division is because our employees are accessing their benefits, which is a good thing and the reason those benefits are in place,” said Buchanan. “However, that results in increased costs to Red Deer Public Schools. We appreciate the funding that we receive from the provincial government and Alberta Education, but we still face funding challenges.”

As part of the budget, Red Deer Public confirmed they will maintain staffing levels, implement Student Support Rooms in most elementary, K – 8 and middle schools, and implement a comprehensive bullying prevention program.

RDPSD identified that risk factors for the approved budget include an uncertainty of what next year’s student enrolment may be due to the current status of the provincial economy, Alberta recently being designated as a high-risk province due to natural disasters causing insurance rates to increase exponentially, and school and transportation fees no longer being funded.

The Board states they will be submitting the budget to Alberta Education on May 31.