By Sheldon Spackman

Red Deer Public School Board passes ‘another tight budget’ for 2018-2019

May 14, 2018 | 11:05 AM

The Board of Trustees for Red Deer Public Schools has passed what is described as ‘another tight budget’ for the 2018-2019 school year.

A lack of government funding for student transportation and student fees are said to be major contributing factors in a projected deficit of $557,621 for the district. According to officials, next year’s budget currently shows revenues of $122.8 million and expenses of $123.3 million.

“The Board of Trustees has approved a budget which again will report a deficit of approximately half a million dollars,” says Board Chair Bev Manning. “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 great teaching. We continue to struggle financially in the area of transportation, as well as a decrease in our infrastructure maintenance and renewal funding.”

Red Deer Public Schools officials say provincial Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal funding has decreased from $3.3 million to $2.9 million for the upcoming school year, putting a strain on maintaining facilities. While the transportation budget currently shows a deficit of $257,621 for 2018-2019.

Another significant budget impact identified by Red Deer Public School officials is per pupil funding. With enrolment growth taking place every school year, officials say there have been no funding increases from the province in the last five to seven years to help offset that. Minimal enrolment growth is expected in the upcoming school year with an increase of 135 students anticipated.

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Other factors identified as having an impact on the school board’s budget include the government’s continued support of Bill 1: An Act to Reduce School Fees. Essentially eliminating school fees related to instructional supplies or materials and transportation for eligible students who live more than 2.4 kms away from their designated school.

In terms of the Board’s investment into mental health initiatives, it’s Valuing Mental Health strategy will see a training component added, with the hiring of nine full-time Mental Health Practitioners and an increase to the Valuing Mental Health Facilitator position from part-time to full-time.

The provincial economy, the uncertainty of what next year’s student enrolment will be and the provincial ATA collective agreement that expires on August 31 have also been identified as potential risk factors that could adversely affect the Board’s operations or decision making in the medium to long-term as well.