The Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD) Board of Education approved the division’s 2020-21 budget at its meeting via video-conference on June 15.
The provincial government announced an overall average funding increase of 2.2% for school divisions for 2020-21, with specific school division increases varying from 0% to 4% for the province’s 27 school divisions.
PSSD will receive an increase in operational funding of 1.66%, which includes a 2% teacher salary increase. The division is forecasting cash expenses to increase by $1.8 million (1.5%) from 2019-20.
Overall teacher and support staffing will remain status quo for the 2020-21 school year, despite a projected enrolment increase of over 180 students.
The school division made a number of reductions to balance the budget, including reducing the operational funds allocated to purchase new buses.
The budget reflects the division’s rising fixed costs in a variety of areas, including utilities, employment costs and facilities.
The PSSD Board discussed the division’s anticipated savings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused the suspension of classes from March 20 until the end of June.
The Ministry of Education has provided criteria for school divisions to follow when determining how to use the funds that have been saved as a result of the pandemic.
Division administrators have estimated that the division will save approximately $1.8 million directly related to the suspension of classes.
The Board approved the division’s initial plan for these funds, which includes one-time costs for instructional supports for teachers, technology for schools, hands-free water bottle filling stations, sanitizing stations, Plexiglas shields and transportation needs.
The division’s approved 2020-21 budget and COVID-19 savings reinvestment plan will now be submitted to the Ministry of Education for approval.