Local school boards are echoing the call of the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA), urging the provincial government to address chronic underfunding across the province.
“We’re asked to do more and more in our transportation budgets and the school systems with no increase in those changes,” expressed Arlene Hrynyk, board chair for Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS).
Mary Anne Penner, board chair for Lakeland Catholic School District (LCSD), agreed funding is problematic.
“Being a rural jurisdiction, our district is spread out so far that it takes time and money to be able to look after all the schools that we do have,” she said.
ASBA is putting pressure on the province to address this issue to ensure all students can receive the best opportunities in their education.
“It shouldn’t be a circumstance of where you live whether or not you have an equal and equitable education,” expressed Hrynyk.
In a press release, president of ASBA Lorrie Jess said, “Because of the staggering deficits, school boards have had to make difficult funding decisions between, for example, fixing a leaky roof or hiring that much needed educational assistant. These shouldn’t be choices boards need to make on the backs of their students.”
Of the 61 school boards part of ASBA, 79 per cent report an inclusive education deficit of roughly $2-million, while 74 per cent aren’t seeing enough dollars for plant, operations, and maintenance, with an average deficit of $2.4-million, and 81 per cent face a transportation shortfall of more than $500,000 on average.
When they have the proper amount of funds, Penner believes they can offer students whatever they need to make them successful.
“That’s what we’re all about, providing a safe and caring environment for our staff and students, also that every child has the opportunity to have success no matter what their specific needs may be,” she expressed.
ASBA is urging the provincial government to complete a comprehensive funding formula review. Currently, it’s a per-student formula.
“The (funding formula) hampers a lot of us. We’re not one of the... districts that have decreasing enrolment, but there are many rural districts that do have decreasing enrolments. Yet the money isn’t there to make sure that the buildings are safe and maintained,” Penner noted.
Hrynyk added, “We’ve been advocating through our association for the minister to revisit the funding formula for something that actually meets the needs of Alberta children and schools. We have declining enrolments, and in metro Alberta, they have increased enrolments. The per-student model is no longer meeting the needs of the realities of Alberta schools, so that’s why we’re continuing to impress upon them the urgency to revisit that formula now.”
Hrynyk and Penner both hoped the provincial government would agree to the consultation process with ASBA for a review, which would allow them to address the needs of their students.
Regardless of the outcome, ensuring students needs are met are a top priority for the school districts.
“We try to do the best we can with what we’ve got, and we do everything that we can to maintain our schools, which is why they’re still functioning and serviceable, and meeting the needs as best we can for students in our care,” detailed Penner.
