Sask. schools left in the dark about funding, budget deadline extension
Despite promises of more money and an extension to the budget deadline for schools, the Saskatchewan government has been mum on details.
Earlier this month, a Ministry of Education spokesperson said school divisions would be granted a deadline extension for submitting their budgets for the next school year.
As of this week, multiple school divisions told CTV News they hadn't heard anything and were still busy trying to create their budgets based on the money they were promised in the provincial budget.
"We have not received any specific information from the Ministry of Education as to the extended deadline and additional funding. We cannot approve a final budget until we understand what additional funding is coming from the province," a Saskatoon Public Schools spokesperson said in an email on Tuesday.
As of Wednesday morning, the Chinook School Division said it hadn't received "any details regarding a deadline extension or additional funding."
"We are currently working with our original budgeting deadlines," a division spokesperson said in a statement.
The Ministry of Education has not responded to CTV News' requests for comment.
The province's divisions are typically required to submit balanced budgets by June 30, a task which the divisions says has been complicated by the uncertainty about how much money they will receive from the province.
Following an outcry over the education funding in this year's provincial budget, Premier Scott Moe promised more money would be coming to the divisions.
"There is no detail on how much money will be provided nor when it will be given to school divisions. This uncertainty makes our planning very difficult," Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools (GSCS) said in a letter sent to parents in mid-May.
GSCS and other divisions argued what the government described as "record spending" for education amounted to a less-than-one per cent increase — insufficient to handle growing enrollment.
As one example of budgetary pressures, the Chinook division said it's receiving hundreds of dollars less per student than during the 2015-16 school year.
The letter from GSCS, along with similar letters to parents and caregivers sent by other school divisions, outlined cuts to programming and additional fees for parents.
The Minister of Education is expected to speak at a news conference Thursday afternoon in Saskatoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.