St. Paul Education Regional Division is projecting a $1 million deficit in its 2018-19 budget, along with doing $1 million in expense reductions.
The 2018-19 budget was approved a month ago at a May 30 meeting. The total budget expenses are pegged at just under $57.5 million, with just under a $1.1 million deficit, and is based on enrolment of 3,894 students.
"The projected deficit is in addition to approximately $1 million in expense reductions," according to a media release from SPERD, dated June 27. "The adjustments were necessary to bring staffing in line with a 283 student decrease over the last four years as the economy slowed."
While the board had been "holding the line" in hopes that enrolment would rebound, this has not happened, so adjustments were made.
Secretary-treasurer Jean Champagne says the projected deficit is manageable, and will be offset by reserves, according to the media release. He noted that the budget is a projection, and that there are many unknowns moving forward, including actual enrolment numbers in the fall, collective agreements, and tuition rates.
Board chair Heather Starosielski said SPERD had little choice but to adjust to new enrolment numbers.
"It was pointed out that class size and pupil-teacher ratios remain among the lowest in the province and the board continues to emphasize having teachers there for students," reads the media release.
Speaking to the Journal last week, Starosielski explained that, "Several times throughout the year, administration met with division principals to gather information to forecast budget variables and project available financial resources. The administration then worked closely with the Board of Trustees to pass a budget that would best support student success."
She noted that every effort was made to create a budget that was as precise as possible, despite the variables that exist.
"With the reduction of students over the past recent years the board felt it was a prudent step to make a staffing correction that is more sustainable with projected enrolments and hopefully avoids deeper cuts later. . . While it is easy to increase staff once the year has started, it is more difficult to make cuts part way through a year."
The board wants a budget that is sustainable, said Starosielski.
"The decision to offset the deficit with reserves is not a sustainable option, but one the board felt comfortable doing in combination with cuts to assist with a longer-term solution."
Expenses in the 2018-19 budget include just over $1.8 million for "Instruction - Early Childhood Services", and the division's biggest expense at $42.1 million for "Instruction - Grades 1-12." Both items show a decrease in expenses when compared to the 2017-18 year.
Plant operations and maintenance is pegged at $7.8 million (an increase from 2017-18), while transportation is budgeted to cost $3.1 million (a decrease from $3.2 million in the 2017-18 budget). Administration budget is set at $2.4 million, which is also a decrease from the 2017-18 budget.
External services are pegged at $114,290, down from $211,783.
Last year's budget was set at $58.1 million, and showed a deficit of $1.4 million.
The bulk of revenues for the 2018-19 come from Alberta Education ($43.7 million); and the federal government and First Nations ($10.5 million). Fees, other sales and services, investment income, gifts and donations, rental of facilities, fundraising, gains on disposal of capital assets, and other revenue complete the rest of the budget.
Superintendent Glen Brodziak noted that while needs are always great than resources, the division continues to focus on "achievement and well-being" of its students and families. He believes the budget provides stability and supports priorities, including indigenous education, Catholic education, and small school supports.
Homeschooling Centre
The division is also moving forward on implements a home-schooling programs that will be based out of Myrnam, while also increasing career planning supports.
“We want to meet the needs of our families," says Brodziak, when speaking specifically about the new Myrnam Outreach and Homeschool Centre. The homeschooling service will be available as soon as this fall, and while it is technically open to anyone in the province, Brodziak believes it will mostly serve division students.
The homeschooling centre will give families more options and flexibility in their children's education. For example, homeschooled students will be able to join a sports team at the school in Myrnam, or a drama club, if they choose to, or they can complete some CTS courses at the school.
Brodziak notes that the homeschooling centre is being done because the division respects that rights and beliefs of all families.
"The board is excited at looking at innovative solutions to meet students' needs," said Starosielski. "The Myrnam Outreach and Home Education Centre is one solution that will provide further flexibility in student learning."
Myrnam is also in the midst of the construction of its CTEC facility, which is being done through a partnership with the Village of Myrnam, and will include a variety of CTS equipment once it's finished. The CTEC facility is also expected to be ready for the start of the new school year in September.
The Village of Myrnam’s CTEC facility, or Construction and Technology Education Centre, is a shared-use facility between the village and St. Paul Education. The facility will act as a home-base for students that homeschool through SPERD, according to information submitted by New Myrnam School.
Students will have full access to the CTEC facility, where they will be able to take CTS classes in construction, renewable energy and environmental studies, 3-D design and printing, horticulture, small business development and much more, reads the information from the school.
Families interested in exploring home education through SPERD are welcome to contact Keith Gamblin, principal of Myrnam Outreach & Homeschool Centre at [email protected] or at (780) 366-3801, for more information. They can also check out our website at www.mohc.ca.
