Rocky View Schools (RVS) Board of Trustees approved a $250 million operating budget for 2016/17 at its June 2 regular meeting. According to Board Chair Colleen Munro, the approved budget will allow RVS to continue to complete the goals outlined in its strategic plan.
“It’s sometimes hard to see the link between strategic planning and board priorities and the way we spend our money. The way we spend our money shows what we value. I think in this budget, RVS is showing it values students ahead of anything else,” she said.
The four board priorities are: direct classroom instruction, inclusive education, specialized services for students with complex needs and a balanced approach to providing literacy, numeracy and 21st Century learning.
The budget does include a projected $2.4 million deficit, however, Director of Finance Karyn Golem said this would be funded from reserves.
One of the items having the greatest impact on the budget, according to Golem, is the introduction of a carbon tax by the provincial government, which will add $140,000 to transportation costs in 2016/17. That cost will rise to $352,000 when the new tax is fully implemented in 2017/18.
As reported in the May 26 issue of the Airdrie City View, trustees previously approved raising busing fees for all students at its May 19 meeting to offset some of the predicted costs due to this new tax.
“In addition to finding monies to maintain and clean three new facilities this upcoming year, the carbon tax levy is anticipated to increase fuel and utility costs by $231,000 in 2016/17 and by $557,000 when fully implemented,” Superintendent of Business and Operations Darrell Couture said.
Golem said RVS is expecting to welcome 817 new students in 2016/17, adding $9.8 million in revenue for the jurisdiction. RVS is anticipating to provide education to 21,499 students in 2016/17.
“This budget maintains school funding and class sizes at prior year levels,” she said.
“A 25 per cent increase to inclusive education services in 2015/16 has also been maintained. You will see increases to supports for students with complex needs. There will also be increases to literacy and numeracy supports and a moderate increase in administration in instructional supports that are obviously needed to sustain our growing school board.”
The majority of the approved $250 million budget – $194.8 million or 77.75 per cent – will go to instruction. This is a $5.2 million increase over the previous year.
A total of 32 new teachers will be hired at the kindergarten to Grade 8 level and an additional 13 high school teachers. Some of these new hires will be required to open new schools in Airdrie and Cochrane in September.
An additional $300,000 has been budgeted to hire support staff for the new schools. Additional caretakers equivalent to 9.75 full-time positions will be hired for the new schools.
The complete approved budget is available online at rockyview.ab.ca under the Publications link.
