The 2017-18 financial budget was presented at the June 20 regular meeting of the Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS).
One of the topics discussed included that credit enrolment units (CEU) funding is now capped at 45 credits for secondary school students.
This year, the province announced it is capping the high school credit enrolment funding count at 45 credits. In the past, students could earn up to 60 credits a year with all being funded. A number of Bow Valley students achieve more than 45 credits in a year.
“Looking back at 2015-16, if the cap was in place that year we would have lost $109,000 in funding between the 45 and 60 credits,” said CRPS treasurer David Mackenzie.
“Kids in our division take classes through the Outdoor Learning Centre and if they have already achieved their 45 credits throughout the school year, any credits earned at the learning centre would not be funded.”
Mackenzie added a number of students also come to the Outdoor Learning Centre from outside the CRPS jurisdiction, and will also face the same situation. The issue has been raised with Alberta Education, with requests the Outdoor Learning Centre be exempted from the cap. But as of the June 20 board meeting, CRPS had not received further information.
Superintendent Chris MacPhee noted presently at least 60-70 students could be affected by the cap in the following year.
Budget challenges and risks the district will face include that basic grant rates have remained static with no adjustment for inflation or movement on salary grids.
Movement on the grid will add $148,000 to salary cost. Enrolment projections are based on current information available, but a level of uncertainty exists in regard to potential decreases over the summer.
A number of issues will affect school board budgets in future.
International student revenues for CRPS are dependent on homestay availability and market conditions, while a downward trend in either area will affect revenue.
Funding for general maintenance operations continues to be a challenge for CRPS as funding is tied to enrolment, but fixed costs do not necessarily decrease as enrolment declines.
The transportation department relies on charter service revenue to balance the budget and change in market conditions could reduce this revenue stream.
A budget deficit of $462,785 has been presented by CRPS, but deficit budgets are not sustainable into the future.
The provincial government has announced that additional student fees may be eliminated in future years. This could affect the enhanced programming being offered in the future.
Budget priorities include continuation of enhanced student services through public and private partnerships, including Right From the Start, CRPS Outdoor Learning Centre, Nature Explorers, Athletics and physical literacy, Classes in the Park and the dual credit program.
