By Derrick Kunz, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
“Status quo” was used more than once during debate and discussion of the 2019-20 operating budget administration presented to Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ (GSCS) Board of Education at their regular meeting on June 24, 2019.
The GSCS board unanimously passed the balanced budget of $194.89 million.
“The provincial government has talked about a new relationship with school divisions, and this modest increase is a step in the right direction,” said Board of Education Chair Diane Boyko. Although she was quick to add that small gestures can only go so far.
Letter from Diane Boyko about the GSCS budget: Click HERE
While the division will see a bump in revenue from the provincial government, cost increases quickly consume the increase. After accounting for enrolment growth of 647 (3.4 per cent) more students next year, inflationary costs for things like utilities, and negotiated salary increases for staff, there is nothing left to restore services or programs that were cut two years ago when $54 million was slashed from the education sector.
“There’s a real desire to do more for students. At every level, people see that more could be done if the resources were there,” said Boyko. “That’s especially acute for teachers and educational assistants who see the needs before them all day, every day. They passionately want more time with each student to help them reach their potential and more help with special needs students. Instead, I hear from many that they feel like they’re just getting by or burning out this time of year.”
The school division’s fiscal year runs from September 1 to August 31 each year.
A detailed look at the budget can be found on the GSCS website at BUDGET
2019-20 Operating Budget By the Numbers:
- $5.8 million operating grant increase (3.4%)
- 647 more students expected (3.4%)
- $336 drop in per-student funding compared to 2016-17
- $9,620 GSCS per-student funding
- $10,919 provincial average per-student funding
- 41.1 FTE new teachers
- 12 FTE new educational assistants
- $483,257 increase in Preventative Maintenance and Renewal for buildings
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