Sask. school divisions struggle with financial pressures despite 'record' education budget
School divisions across Saskatchewan are making it known that fiscal challenges remain, despite the province’s attempts at addressing capacity issues in its most recent budget.
Both Regina’s Public and Catholic school divisions have been forced to dip into their respective reserves – citing shortfalls and the effects of inflation.
The Regina Public School Board received $23.5 million more in provincial funding as opposed to last year.
Regardless, a raise in the most recent budget does not undo several years’ worth of underfunding, according to Board Chair Sarah Cummings-Truszkowksi.
“For the past eight years, public education in Saskatchewan has been severely underfunded. And as much as this is a boost for us, we’re also just climbing back out of the hole. So we’re still not where we should be,” she explained.
“Last year, our per-student funding was about $9,600. This year, it’s going to be a little over $10,000. Which is great, it’s gone up a little but. But it should actually be at $12,000 or more.”
Regina Catholic Schools are also relying on reserve funds to cover a $1.5 million shortfall – mainly due to salaries and transportation costs.
“In order to balance the budget, we’re utilizing $1.5 million from external restricted reserves,” CFO Josh Kramer told CTV News. “These reserves are funds set aside for these specific reasons. We did receive the funds in the prior fiscal school year.”
The desperate measures come as the province reports that Regina Catholic received an increase of $17.5 million or 14.3 per cent in its annual budget.
The issue of fiscal shortfalls are not just evident in the province’s capital.
Prairie Valley School Division says it’s facing a projected $600,000 cash deficit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
“Increased funding for more frontline staff members and some dedicated funding for inflation allows Prairie Valley to continue addressing rural classroom complexity,” Board Chair Janet Kotylak said in a June 25 news release.
“However, many more provincial education budget increases are needed for students to receive the full complement of programs and services they need and deserve.”
All told, the division’s budget will increase to $109 million, or by 2.6 per cent. Five positions to address rural classroom complexity will be added, costing $1.3 million. Overall staffing will rise by 10.2 FTEs (full time equivalent) positions.
A nearly $1 million increase for transportation and some additional funding for support staff cost-of-living salary increases were also laid out in the budget.
Even with the additional funding, the division says transportation will still maintain an $850,000 deficit in 2025 while $3 million in support staff salary increases will remain unfunded.
Kotylak echoed other division’s sentiments, calling the most recent budget “a good start” towards restoring sustainable investment in public education.
“But you can’t make up for seven years of underfunding in one budget,” she explained.
In the midst of job actions by teachers, the Government of Saskatchewan touted a record $3.3 billion budget for the Ministry of Education in March.
Saskatchewan’s 27 school divisions received $2.2 billion in operating funding – representing a $180 million increase from the year previous.
In a statement to CTV News, the Ministry of Education outlined that budget day funding is based off of projected enrollments and is updated in the fall once actual enrollments are verified.
The ministry also highlighted that a formula to support in-year school enrollment growth will be utilized for a second time this upcoming school year.
“Education is a shared responsibility in Saskatchewan,” the ministry’s response read. “While government provides funding to school divisions, staffing and programming decisions are the responsibility of the school divisions and must be made within their allocated budget.”
The 2024-25 school division budgets are set to be reviewed by the Ministry of Education once they are completed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6950941.1720092571!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Hurricane Beryl roars toward Mexico after leaving destruction in Jamaica and eastern Caribbean
Hurricane Beryl ripped off roofs in Jamaica, jumbled fishing boats in Barbados and damaged or destroyed 95 per cent of homes on a pair of islands in St. Vincent and the Grenadines before rumbling toward the Cayman Islands and taking aim at Mexico's Caribbean coast after leaving at least seven dead in its wake.
Son asks court to sell B.C. home he co-owns with his mother, despite her objections
A B.C. judge has ordered the sale of a Surrey home despite the objections of the woman who lives there, who owns it jointly with her son.
Ottawa landlord left with hefty bill after tenant trashes rental property
A landlord in Ottawa is facing thousands of dollars in repairs after his tenant left his only rental property damaged and disorderly.
If you qualify for this tax credit, you can expect a payment in your bank account this week
The next quarterly GST/HST tax credit payment is expected to go out this week, according to the Canada Revenue Agency.
We are in for a stronger, longer and earlier hurricane season. Here's why
With warmer-than-usual temperatures on the horizon this summer, a stronger and longer Atlantic storm season is ahead. A hurricane expert explains why that is and what to expect in the months ahead.
Will Justin Trudeau step down, or stay on? Survey shows what Canadians think
A majority of Canadians think Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will stay on to lead his party in the next election even as his approval ratings are still extremely low, a new poll suggests.
Cape Breton police investigating gold-for-gas scam that targets unsuspecting drivers
Police in Cape Breton are investigating reports of a scam involving a seemingly stranded motorist flagging down drivers and offering gold jewelry in exchange for money to pay for gas or repairs.
Japan court orders government to pay damages for forced sterilizations under now-defunct eugenics law
In a landmark decision, Japan’s Supreme Court has ordered the government to pay damages to people who were forcibly sterilized under a now-defunct eugenics law, ruling the practice was unconstitutional and had violated their rights.
Irish prime minister 'appalled' by Montrealer's death after alleged assault
Ireland's prime minister says he's "absolutely appalled" by an assault in the country's capital that resulted in the death of a tourist from Montreal.