School District No. 46 (SD46) has asked the Ministry of Education to increase funding to public schools and establish a funding model that would help the school district plan more effectively.
In a letter to the select standing committee on finance and government services, board chair Betty Baxter said the Ministry of Education introduced “a number of sudden and surprising policy changes,” some of which were made mid-year in 2016-17, “well after we have done extensive community consultation and made difficult decisions” regarding the allocation of limited resources.
“This has been disrespectful in our communities and of the tremendous efforts of our staff to meet Ministry imposed deadlines for budget and calendar. We need increased funding for operational costs and we need equity in how those funds can be accessed across the province,” Baxter said.
In the past few years, there have been funding policy changes that have created uncertainty. “A predictable multi-year funding model,” Baxter said, “would help us to plan and implement facility upgrades in a much more efficient and inclusive manner.”
School districts receive targeted funding for students with special needs, but the amount is not sufficient to cover the cost for additional supports for those students, Baxter said, pointing out that school districts have to dip into general funding to make up the difference.
The new provincial curriculum implementation and a commitment to enhancing Aboriginal Education (following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations) are also expected to squeeze the school district financially.
“Our operating funds are stretched thin,” Baxter said.
She said the denial of more than $700,000 under the Classroom Enhancement Funding “to support non-enrolling teachers could mean future layoffs in all program areas.”
SD46 requested the province consider funding stability and capital funding in 2018-19 budget deliberations.
