'A key area of risk': Inflationary costs a factor in Regina Public Schools projected $2.5M deficit
The Regina Board of Education is projecting a $2.5 million deficit for the 2022-23 school year, with rising costs neutralizing funding increases.
“All available funding is fully allocated, with no contingency funds set aside and little margin to manage cost increases or funding decreases without impacting services,” the board said in its 2022-23 proposed budget.
On a cash basis, the board is forecasting $261,699,734 in revenue and $264,244,200 in expenses, resulting in a $2,544,466 deficit for the year.
The deficit saw a slight reduction from the previous school year, down $913,341 from $3,457,807 in 2021-22.
The school board said approximately $800,000 of the projected deficit stems from “time-limited” expenses and ongoing pandemic impacts.
Operating funding from the provincial government for the Regina Public School Division for 2022-23 is $242.7 million, which is $4.1 million, or 1.7 per cent, higher than the board’s December 2021 funding recalculation.
Inflation, specifically on durable goods and fuel, was identified as a “key area of risk” for the year.
Inflationary pressures are projected to add $200,000 in transportation costs, along with $132,000 in increased insurance premiums.
The board will also be bringing back some pandemic recovery supports due to staff feedback. Supports include: Learning Response Teams (reduced from seven to four FTE), additional counsellor staff, and additional Indigenous advocate positions.
The supports will be funded by reserves.
Student enrolments are projected at 25,008 across elementary, high school, associate schools and home based learning – up 416 from last year.
The Ministry of Education will recalculate funding in the fall based on Sept. 30 actual enrolment totals.
REDUCING POSITIONS
The board will be reducing full-time equivalent (FTE) positions by 46, which includes 19 classroom teacher FTE positions, 10 FTE contingency positions, “pandemic related positions and other one-time initiatives, and division office reductions, offset by increases for equity, diversity and inclusion and IT support.”
The division notes the teacher FTE allocations are recalculated annually based on projected enrollment. The calculations for the 2022-23 school year resulted in 19 fewer positions in the budget than previously estimated, to keep student-teacher ratios consistent.
The 10 “contingency” FTE positions were budgeted in 2021-22, but not accessed.
“FTE reductions can be managed through attrition and will not require staff lay-offs,” the division said in its proposed budget.
The board projects 2,338 FTE positions for the 2022-23 school year.
The FTE estimates do not include additional education assistants (EA) that were funded in the provincial budget. The board is eligible for up to $922,000 in additional EA funding, which equates to approximately 22 more FTE positions.
RESERVE FUNDING
Regina Public Schools had nearly $61 million in reserve funds as of the most recent financial statement on August 31, 2021, but it notes that the majority of that money is set aside for specific purposes and cannot be used to sustain annual spending.
Just under $14 million of the reserve is unrestricted.
Reserves will likely be reduced from the 2021-22 year due to the current financial forecast, the board said.
“Reserve funds are in place to balance off unanticipated budget impacts and one-time initiatives but cannot be relied on for the long-term,” the budget proposal reads.
Offsetting cost reductions were found within the budget, but further reductions were made to “maintain a sustainable level of spending.”
Those changes include:
- Reductions to facility renovation and contracted services budgets.
- Transportation efficiencies in light vehicle costs.
- Reducing Division-level operating (non-salary) budgets and holding some positions vacant.
- Reducing school operating (non-salary) budgets by five per cent
The budget will be discussed at a Regina Board of Education meeting on June 29 at 5:30 p.m. It is expected to be approved by Aug. 31 by the Ministry of Education.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.