The Saskatoon Public Schools Board of Education has approved a revised operating budget, after the province announced some one-time funding, but its Chair says although it is welcomed, it is not enough. Colleen MacPherson explains that the province announced $20-million in extra funding in July for Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions to help offset rising costs.
Saskatoon Public Schools received almost $1.58-million. However, the original budget had to make a number of reductions to deal with a $4.5-million shortfall.
That included 12.7 full time equivalent elementary teaching positions and 6.9 positions in secondary schools. MacPherson says, “Putting most of this money back into instruction will provide some relief, but we must be judicious because this is one-time only funding.”
The revised budget adds back 6.5 teaching positions, seven educational assistants, additional resource support for students and one elementary English as an Additional Language teacher. The remaining will support various operational expenses, including offsetting fuel costs, supporting the expansion of the Westmount School Heritage Michif Language and Culture Program, and addressing higher insurance premiums.
Even with the added funds, MacPherson notes that Saskatoon Public Schools and many other school divisions continue to feel the effects of years of underfunding.
The Board fully expects it will have to deal with another deficit when the provincial budget is released next spring. She says, “We approved this revised budget with eyes wide open because there is no guarantee this money will show up in the next budget year. In fact, we fully expect to have to deal with another deficit when the provincial budget comes down in spring 2023. Our growing enrolment coupled with inflation challenges everyone – teachers, principals, administrative staff – to do more with less in order to provide the best possible education experience for every one of our students.”
