1. education
2. school

A Message to the School
Communities
In Ward 74
From Trustee Debbie Engel
March 2015
Dear School Councils and members of the Catholic School Community in Ward 74:
Spring is in the air, the days are longer and we are all looking forward to enjoying the promise of green
grass and the anticipation of outdoor recess (unencumbered by snowsuits, boots, gloves and toques),
activities, walks, and get-togethers.
Public Education in Alberta is vibrant and in Edmonton Catholic Schools! Learning in the 21st century has
been enhanced by our Transform initiative, an amazing initiative that is unique to our District.
Transform is the District’s professional development program designed to enact the principles of
student-centred teaching and competency-based learning needed for growth and change. Recently, a
presentation was made to the Board at their February 17th Public Meeting on Transform. The video of
the meeting can be seen if you click on this link: https://www.ecsd.net/BoardofTrustees/Reports-andResources/public_board_meeting/Pages/default.aspx
With the prospect of challenging financial times comes the invitation to be creative and to lobby for
what we need to keep on top of the diverse needs of our students. Schools are becoming the hub of
communities within their geographical areas. Every community is unique. Infrastructure and services
(commonly known as “wrap around” services) are critical to meet the needs of students and families.
Child care is among the issues that we believe is important for families in the 21st century.
We feel it is important to educate our stakeholders on what our needs are and how you can help.
To that end, I have enclosed a report from the Metro School Boards Group that consists of the Board
Chairs of Edmonton Catholic Schools, Edmonton Public Schools, Calgary Board of Education and Calgary
Catholic Schools that shares information about current realities facing metro school boards and how
provincial budgets impact our schools.
The Board of Trustees is hosting a district-wide parent engagement evening May 13, 2015 at St. Joseph
High School starting at 6:30 p.m. We hope that by sharing and exchanging information, along with the
information in the Metro School Boards Group Report, you will better understand the issues and that
through our conversations the Board will, with your help, lobby the government effectively.
At the parent engagement evening, we hope to share important information resulting from the budget
announcement by the government at the end of March.
I look forward to seeing you there and to working closely with parents to advocate for continued quality
education.
As we journey through Lent and prepare for the Easter season, we renew our love with God. We
celebrate the message of hope with the resurrection of Christ. With spring in the air and with grateful
hearts we hear and feel new life.
I encourage open communication and welcome your input on educational matters. I look forward to
meeting you on May 13th. In the meantime, you can reach me at 780 970-7160 or by e-mail
debbie.engel@ecsd.net.
Shalom!
Sincerely,
Debbie Engel
Enclosed: The Metro School Boards Group Report
The Metro School Boards Group
Winter 2015
T
he purpose of this newsletter is to share key
facts with you about current realities facing
the metro school boards, how recent provincial
budgets have impacted our districts and to assist
you in advocating for Alberta students.
While concerned about the current economic
climate we are encouraged to hear that the
Minister of Education will do whatever he can
to minimize the impact on education as the
government considers making cuts to provincial
spending. The Metro School Boards Group will
continue to focus on advocacy as we strive to
ensure the best possible opportunities exist for
our students.
Understanding Metro Funding, Complexity & Growth
Metro school boards educate approximately 47 per cent of Alberta students; receive approximately 45 per cent of the Ministry of Education budget that is allocated to school jurisdictions, while delivering a wide range of programs to address the diverse and complex needs of
students.
Metro School Districts
Revenue per Student
$10,500
$10,450
$10,400
$10,350
$10,300
$10,250
Revenue per
Student
$10,200
$10,150
$10,100
$10,050
2011–2012
2012–2013
2013–2014
2014–2015
Education funding on an overall per-student basis has decreased
We recognize funding challenges exist throughout the province; however the Metro School
Boards Group wants to highlight the complexities of the metro boards as a result of the diversity of our cities. We have been faced with funding cuts year over year; despite inflated oil
prices we have faced the elimination of grants, grant decreases and grant freezes as follows:
• Class size funding for grade 4–12 – Eliminated
• Enhanced grant for English Language Learners – Eliminated
• Small Schools by Necessity Grant – Eliminated
• Alberta Initiative for School Improvement – Eliminated
• English Language Learners Grant – Reduced from 7 to 5 years
• Allowable Administration Expense – Reduced by 10 per cent
• Per Student Grant – Frozen at 2013–2014 rate (0 per cent increase)
These changes in grants has had a significant impact on the level of funding metro boards
receive on a per student basis as illustrated in the chart. The end result has been a loss of over
$86.4 million in revenue to metro boards.
It is important to note that if not for student growth metro boards would not have recognized
an increase in revenue levels, this increase in revenue has been outstripped by increased expenditures to educate the increase in the number of students.
The decline in overall per-student funding has resulted in service level reductions, the inability to fully implement Inspiring Education and a slow but steady increase in class sizes. Metro
boards have used accumulated operating reserves over the years to balance budgets and to
maintain student services; however this trend cannot continue as metro boards’ accumulated
operating surpluses are becoming depleted and cannot make up the short fall. The Financial
Reporting Profile shows that the accumulated operating surplus median for metro boards is
4.94 per cent while the provincial average is 8.34 per cent or 69 per cent higher than the four
metro boards combined. To illustrate; a 5 per cent cut to education spending would result in
$350 million less revenue for school boards of which approximately $160 million will be lost
by the four metro boards. Given that approximately 78 per cent of the total operating budget
is spent on instruction this will have a critical impact on student learning and results.
The complexity and diversity of students has increased
The four metro boards have a combined enrolment of approximately 295,000 students of
which approximately 33 per cent receive additional supports. These students include English
Language Learners, First Nations, Metis and Inuit and students with Severe Special Needs.
This does not include our students with Mild and Moderate Special Needs including those
that are Gifted and Talented. The additional supports these students receive are imperative for
them to reach their full learning potential; any decreases to programs that serve diverse and
complex student needs will have an impact on their level of success. While overall funding
per student has decreased, the complexity of the metro student population is increasing as
our overall student population increases. As illustrated below students who are English Language Learners, First Nations, Metis or Inuit and Severe Special Needs has increased significantly over the past five years.
Metro School Districts
% of Students with Complex Needs
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
Severe Special Needs
20.0%
15.0%
First Nations, Metis and Inuit
10.0%
English Language Learners
5.0%
0.0%
2010–2011 2011–2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 2014–2015
Utilization rates of schools continue to increase
Metro school boards have been allocated a number of new schools since May 2013 that are
scheduled to open in the fall of 2016. In total, metro boards will be managing the construction and opening of 47 new schools in addition to major modernizations and the installation
of modular classrooms. We appreciate the work from all levels of government in ensuring the
timely opening of these critically needed new student spaces. In order to meet future projected growth needs, the government and school boards will need to continue to prioritize school
infrastructure.
Capacity / Enrolment
65,000
CCSD District Enrolment & Capacity
2010–2020
60,000
55,000
CCSD Enrolment
District Capacity
50,000
45,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
As illustrated in the graph above, Calgary Catholic School District, like the other metros, is
operating above capacity and the new school builds for the metro boards will only just keep
up with enrolment growth which exceeds the provincial average. It is anticipated that the
student population will grow between 2.5 per cent – 4 per cent per year over the next decade.
What metro boards need to manage funding, complexity & growth
We will continue to optimize our resources with a focus on the success of students, as we
truly believe that education is an investment that benefits society as a whole. We would like to
see the following in order to support student learning:
• Provide a long term sustainable and predictable fiscal plan for funding school districts
• Maintain labour peace in the education sector
• Create a new funding allocation model that reflects the actual costs of delivering
public education and the differences and challenges that different school districts face
• Provide funding for growth, provincially negotiated agreements and increasing system costs such as inflation, maintenance etcetera in the upcoming budget
• Continue to build needed schools while market and borrowing costs are down
We appreciate that education is a priority for the province as demonstrated by the new school,
modular and modernization announcements and trust that this priority will be reflected in
the coming budget.
Joy Bowen-Eyre
Chair, Board of Trustees
Calgary Board of Education
Linda Wellman
Chair, Board of Trustees
Calgary Catholic School District
Debbie Engel
Chair, Board of Trustees
Edmonton Catholic Schools
Michael Janz
Chair, Board of Trustees
Edmonton Public Schools