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Calgary’s two largest school districts are considering budgets with double-digit growth for next school year.
Calgary Board of Education officials presented a $1.9-billion budget to trustees on Wednesday, a 12-per-cent increase over the budget for the current year.
That includes provincial funding for 118 complexity teams, announced in February and now starting to serve almost half of the CBE schools, and additional funding for 362 teachers to reduce class sizes. That last batch of teaching positions was announced last week and would be hired for September.
“The increase to the budget is welcome and long due,” said trustee Cynthia Cordova.
But she worried about the CBE’s capacity to find and sign contracts with all of these new teachers.
“I do wish you luck in finding them,” added trustee Jenny Regal, a former teacher, noting that districts across the province are all ramping up hiring efforts at the same time.
Superintendent of finance Brad Grundy said he believes CBE is on track to enlist the first 118 teachers for the complexity teams, but acknowledged the major hiring effort will be challenging.
Calgary public is the largest school board in Western Canada, serving one in six Alberta students. Officials said this budget is starting to catch up with several years of high enrolment growth. It includes startup costs for one new middle school, the first of 22 new schools in the works.
This fall, enrolment is expected to grow by just one per cent, which is “approaching stability,” said Grundy. The budget includes higher provincial grants to account for the enrolment growth and last fall’s teacher salary settlement, but it does not include funds for inflation and other staff salary increases.
Evanston Heights school set to open
The new public school opening in August is Evanston Heights. Evanston will pull 900 students from three different schools, easing congestion in Calgary’s far northwest.
CBE’s proposed budget also includes more funding for new English language classes to help kids get established, and more teachers for specialized classes for students with complex medical or other needs.
It reflects a $15-million deficit for the operations and maintenance budget because of provincial grant changes. CBE officials said they will be undertaking a review of the maintenance program to find cost savings.
Trustee Jenny Regal asked if there was a risk the Calgary public school district could lose its funding if it can’t hire enough new teachers quickly. CBE officials said they are dedicated to finding those teachers. (Calgary Board of Education livestream)
For parents, the cost of student supplies and lunch supervision will remain the same.
But transportation fees for taking the yellow school bus will increase to $500 a year, up from $360.
Alberta Education sets the rules for busing and provides a transportation grant. That grant is worth roughly half of what it costs to transport each student, said Grundy.
“The CBE does not profit from the charging of fees,” he said. “As well, the CBE maintains a robust fee-waiver program so that the inability [to pay] fees never impacts a student’s access to public education.”
The CBE budget is scheduled to return to the trustees for a vote May 26.
Calgary Catholic draws on savings
Calgary Catholic School District trustees passed their $854-million budget Wednesday, an increase of 15 per cent over the current year.
That includes a $19-million deficit to cover startup costs for four new schools and increased transportation costs. That deficit will be covered by the district’s reserve funds.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had that many schools open in one year. That is a concern for fitting those schools up,” said trustee Myra D’Souza.
“That is going to be a strain on us.”
The Catholic district is also looking at enrolment growth of about one per cent. It has nearly finished hiring for the 53 classroom complexity teams that were allocated to the district in February and has been allocated funds for 181 new teachers to reduce class sizes in September.
Calgary Catholic has 120 schools serving five communities in and around the city, and expects to have nearly 65,000 students and 6,000 staff come September. It’s the largest Catholic school district in Alberta.
Next year’s budget also includes funds for 10 new special education classes, continuing an effort to offer options to students with more severe complexities.
The four new schools that are opening are two high schools, Rangeview and West Calgary, and two K-Grade 9 schools, Nolan Hill and Chestermere.
A rendering of the planned Rangeview High School in southeast Calgary, which is scheduled to open in fall 2027. Calgary Catholic School District has budgeted fit-up costs for four new schools in next year’s budget. (Calgary Catholic School District)
District officials said next year’s budget reflects a decrease in tuition paid by international students, mostly because space constraints limited acceptance.
Transportation costs are contributing $7 million to the deficit, which is the difference between the funds provided by the province and the $450-per-rider fee for parents. Officials decided not to raise fees to cover the discrepancy this year, said chief superintendent Bryan Szumlas.
“That’s not something we want to put on the backs of our parents at this point,” Szumlas said. “Financially, when it comes to transportation, we’re taking a hit, but I think we’re giving an A-plus service to our families.”
The district will begin charging the same fees to families of students in special education programming in September.