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Holy Spirit approves budget |
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Written by Caroline Zentner LETHBRIDGE HERALD
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Thursday, 26 November 2009 |
After implementing a new student-based budget model for the 2009-10 year, the Holy Spirit separate school board approved the final budget at its regular meeting earlier this week.
The roughly $45-million budget was devised in consultation with school principals and senior administration with the goal of allocating resources equitably.
“Not all students cost the same to educate,” said Lisa Palmarin, Holy Spirit secretary-treasurer. “In a student-based funding model, money is allocated to schools based on the cost of educating the student.”
For example, an elementary student generally costs more to educate than a junior high school student. So far, Palmarin said the model has been well-received because of its transparency.
While the new model makes sure funding is based on individual student needs, the overall budget is tight due to less government funding, escalating costs and decreasing numbers of students.
The division predicted it would see a decline of 88 students when it prepared a preliminary budget in May but actual enrolment declined by only 62 students. That increased revenue to the school division but the squeeze on funding resulted in the board opting to put less money into capital reserves and the accumulated operating surplus. Alberta Education wants school divisions to have 2.5 per cent of annual operating costs in reserves but Holy Spirit has about 1.6 per cent in reserve. Last spring, the board decided to set aside $350,000 a year, with $250,000 going into operating reserves and $100,000 into capital reserves, to meet the provincial target. Given the financial reality this year, the board decided to put only $100,000 (out of board and administration funding) into reserves.
“The $250,000 needs to be directed back into the schools,” said superintendent Chris Smeaton.
“In order to get the budget to balance, we’re tapping into the capital reserve from last year,” Palmarin said, adding the money is being used to change the division’s network platform.
The Holy Spirit school division also had to address a roughly $1-million shortfall in special-needs funding. Funding from the province was based on 179 students but the division has 210 students identified as special needs. The money was made up from regular instructional monies.
“We have to maintain a high level of support for children with special needs,” Smeaton said.
The board also approved a proposal that would see user fees implemented for busing some students. The province provides transportation funding for students who live 2.4 kilometres or farther from the closest school. For years, Holy Spirit has provided busing for students who live 1.2 km or farther from the nearest school because it could financially afford to do so. But rising costs have put an end to that. Smeaton estimated the division isn’t getting funded for about half of students it transports.
“What we’re doing right now we can’t continue,” Smeaton said, adding the amount of a user fee hasn’t yet been calculated.
School communities have already been consulted about the proposal which establishes boundary areas for schools but still gives parents choice. Bus transportation would be provided at no cost for students who live 2.4 km or farther from their resident school but those who live between 1.2 km and 2.4 km or outside a school’s attendance area would pay a user fee. The fee is expected to begin next September and continue until June 2012, during which time the proposal will be evaluated.
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