GYPSD news

April. 5 meeting

2017-18 Division Budget, School Finances & Bill 1

The agenda for April’s first Public Board meeting was focused on financial matters as the Board received information to assist them in making informed decisions when allocating resources to support their desired outcomes and priorities for the upcoming year. In planning for the 2017-18 Budget, trustees reviewed the key assumptions made in developing next year’s revenue estimates as well as approved the allocation of resources with minimizing the need to use unrestricted reserves to balance the budget. Factors affecting the budget include a projected slight decline in enrolment of approximately 0.4 per cent and uncertainty on how the new maximum of CEU funding will affect those schools currently not participating in the High School Redesign Project. “Our board thoughtfully discussed proposed allocations to ensure that maximum revenues were being forwarded for students’ direct benefits in their learning needs. We carefully considered all needs in the budget process as we always have to balance our revenues with appropriate expenditures,” noted Board Chair Brenda Rosadiuk. “We have items that are provincially mandated to support as well as those that are chosen as local priorities such as funding full day Kindergarten.” As part of monitoring finances, trustees also reviewed individual school budgets to ensure that schools are spending current year resources on the students currently in the school and operating within sustainable allocations. On March 16, 2017, the Province of Alberta announced the provincial budget which introduced a grant to offset the loss of funding to school divisions under the proposed Bill 1 for instructional material fees and eligible student bus fees charged to parents. The province also announced a planned increase to Infrastructure, Maintenance and Renewal (IMR) funding.

Other News in Brief

• The agenda and location for the upcoming Council of School Councils’ meeting on May 25, 2017 was approved by the Board. The meeting will be held at the Hinton Golf Club and the two main topics will be technology updates and inclusive education supports and resources.

• Dates for the 2017 Welcome Back events for staff across the division were shared and trustees were very pleased to hear that 89 staff will be recognized this year for their continuous long service from 5 years up to 40 at this summer’s events.