(Image Credit: Loni Bourne Photography)

By Josh Hall

funding boost

Red Deer Public Schools to add 11 classroom complexity teams

Mar 5, 2026 | 4:36 PM

A funding boost will allow Red Deer Public Schools to bring in 11 new classroom complexity teams.

The new money comes from the provincial government, as part of the recently released Budget 2026.

And it comes months after 51,000 Alberta teachers went on strike, citing classroom complexity as a main concern.

According to the division, the announcement recognizes the growing academic, behavioural, social-emotional and language-related needs present in today’s classrooms. The addition of the teams, currently focused on K-6 classrooms, will help provide more targeted, wrap-around support to students in Red Deer Public Schools. Each team will consist of one certified teacher and two educational assistants.

“We appreciate the government’s recognition that classrooms are increasingly complex, with growing numbers of students requiring a wide range of support,” said Nicole Buchanan, board chair of Red Deer Public Schools.

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“Our board of trustees is committed to using every available dollar to support student success and well-being, and to ensure excellence in teaching and learning happens in every classroom.”

In addition, Red Deer Public Schools is currently undertaking its own community engagement initiative focused on classroom complexity. Since the New Year, the division has been engaging with students, staff and parents to better understand their experiences and perspectives.

The feedback will inform local decision-making, with a final report summarizing what was heard and outlining next steps expected in June.

Parents were emailed a survey on this matter earlier this week.

“This engagement is not only about listening carefully to those who experience classroom complexity every day. Our board has a responsibility to make informed decisions, and this input will help guide how we prioritize and allocate resources going forward,” said Buchanan.

Earlier this week, the Alberta Teachers’ Association applauded the fact that the budget would finally prioritize education, including $300 million to address classroom complexity.

“None of this will be achieved without bringing new teachers into the profession. In this budget, the province will be making targeted investments of $148 million to increase enrolment in high-demand post-secondary programs, including education, which will help address teacher recruitment issues,” said Jason Schilling, ATA president.

“Despite the positive news for public education, it is disappointing that the government is choosing to significantly increase funding for private schools, particularly when it’s clear that many public schools are still bursting at the seams. Unlike ‘programs of choice,’ the public education system is a necessity and must be the sole priority when allocating scarce public funds.”

More details are expected when the Funding Manual for School Boards is released in April, the ATA added.