Lethbridge School Division responds to provincial budget announcement

Lethbridge School Division continues to examine the details contained within yesterday’s provincial budget announcement.
While there are several details the Division is seeking clarity on, the fact the province has announced a hold-harmless approach to operational allocation funding is a positive development.
“The hold harmless approach will provide about $2.1 million that would have been reduced from our funding due to enrolment being less than expected in 2021/2022,” said Christine Lee, the Division’s Associate Superintendent, Business and Operations. “This will provide stability as we work through budget 2022/2023.”
Enrolment is projected to increase by 295 FTE students for the next school year in Lethbridge School Division. Only 195 FTE students will be funded based on the three-year weighted moving average (approximately $1.1 million for the Division).
The one-per-cent increase in base grants will amount to $680,000, while the one-per-cent increase in Plant Operations and Maintenance funding will come in at $120,000. The announced 4.6-per-cent increase in transportation will mean $125,000 for the Division, for total rate increases of $925,000.
In terms of the 4.6-per-cent increase in transportation, the Division was pleased to see this included in the provincial announcement.
“It was very important to receive an increase in transportation funding, as contracted costs will increase for next year. Fuel costs have doubled and are not anticipated to go down anytime soon,” said Lee. “We are currently using reserve funds and this will likely continue even with the increase in funding.”
Grant rates for funding portfolios called Services and Supports and Community (Inclusive Learning), as well as Jurisdictional (governance and system administration) will not receive increases.
At this point, the Division is seeking clarity on the bridge funding contained within the provincial funding model. Bridge funding was put in place when the funding model changed in 2020/2021, to ensure divisions did not receive less funding compared to the prior year.
The Division received provincial funding of $110 million in the first two years of the new funding model in 2020/2021 and 2021/2022.
As other revenues go up, bridge funding is reduced to maintain the same level of funding, until bridge funding is fully utilized.
The Division expects to receive its funding profile in late March, which will outline the Division’s funding allocation and provide clarity on whether or not provincial funding will increase beyond the $110 million received in previous years.
In the end, if the Division is held at the same level as the two proceeding years, and if bridge funding is indeed reduced, the Division will not receive additional funding over the current $110 million, despite the additional funding for student growth ($1.1 million) and the grant rate increases ($925,000). 
“The Division is also looking forward to more information regarding what Curriculum Implementation funding will look like, along with details on Student Well-Being Funding, targeting academic and wellness challenges,” said Board Chair Allison Purcell. “Through our recent Town Hall, we have heard concerns regarding gaps in learning as well as student wellbeing. This new funding is welcome news.”
More information is also being sought on Infrastructure, Maintenance and Renewal and Capital Maintenance Renewal funding, in addition to the $13 million province wide that will be allocated for the School Safe Indoor Air Initiative.
The provincial government also announced $1.5 billion over three years for school projects, including 15 projects for the construction of new schools, modernizations and design work to support school building priorities. With the previous approval of a new K-5 elementary school in west Lethbridge for the Division, the Division’s No. 1 priority is a modernization of Galbraith Elementary School.