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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

money talk

Red Deer schools divisions approve budgets for next year

Jun 7, 2023 | 11:53 AM

Red Deer Catholic and Red Deer Public have approved their 2023/24 school year budgets and education plans.

For Red Deer Catholic, the budget is indicative of a projected 2.9 per cent increase in enrolment.

“The 2023-2024 school year budget is reflective of the Board’s continued focus on innovation, strategic planning, mental wellness and permeation of our faith,” said Board Chair, Anne Marie Watson.

“In addition to these priorities, the board of trustees and senior administration worked collaboratively to ensure budget decisions were also aligned with the Division Education Plan, Strategic Development Plan and the areas of focus provided by Alberta Education.”

Breaking down the numbers, the division’s operating budget comes in at just over $118.6 million. That’s just over $3 million more than what was spent for 2022/23.

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It also includes an estimated $102 million from the Government of Alberta, up $2 million from last year.

The division’s 2023-26 education plan, meanwhile, includes a continued focus, during its second year, on three key areas:

· Mental health and safety

· Purposefully, tangibly, and visibly demonstrate our faith, and

· Build a workplace culture of engagement, empowerment and innovation

Meantime, at Red Deer Public Schools, the budget comes in at $130 million. That includes a deficit of $1 million.

“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,” says Nicole Buchanan, board chair. “We believe the best place to spend our money is on excellence in teaching and learning.”

As for the division’s three-year strategic direction, the highest priority, says Buchanan, is ensuring the success of every student, plus excellence in teaching.

“To ensure every student reaches their full potential, our three priority areas include Literacy and Numeracy, Equity and Student Success and Completion,” she said.

“During our community engagement earlier this year, we heard from students at various grade levels that bullying is an issue in schools. In response to hearing this, we will take a look at how we can prevent and provide further education about bullying. As we move forward in the upcoming school year, this initiative will involve students, staff and parents in terms of developing strategies of what this will look like.”

Also part of the plan is implementation of Student Support Rooms in most elementary and middle schools.

MORE: Red Deer Public Schools to launch Student Support Rooms

The division is also looking at different models for distribution of educational funds to certain schools with different needs.