Catholic division’s surplus depends on UCP budget choices that won’t come until the fall
By JEREMY APPEL on June 26, 2019.
jappel@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education passed Tuesday its budget for the 2019-2020 school years.
The budget contains a $209,000 surplus, which will add $533,000 to the budget as a result of amortization, as well as a 0.8 per cent enrolment increase, equivalent to 20 full-time equivalent students.
However, the numbers aren’t set in stone until the provincial government passes its budget, which isn’t expected until the fall, after results of a blue-ribbon panel on the province’s finances are revealed.
“This budget is based on a series of assumptions,” explained secretary treasurer Greg MacPherson. “We do not have the funding model developed and distributed to us as of yet.”
The board is operating on the assumption that funding will remain “status quo,” except for changes related to increased enrolment and the Alberta Teachers Association collective agreement.
“In this budget, we are anticipating the government will honour their obligations to fund those contractual increases on behalf of the school board,” said MacPherson.
The MHCBE anticipates the $166,000 grant for its nutrition program will continue, but is delaying the program until the funds are guaranteed.
The $232,000 school fee replacement and $385,000 classroom improvement fund will continue regardless, but if their funding is cut, the board will have to re-direct its surplus to cover it.
Funding for the Communities Coming Together program, which promotes mental health in schools, won’t be revealed until the end of July.
The board has budgeted for its funding to remain the same, but if Alberta Health Services can’t maintain its $281,000 in funding, it will be discontinued.
Hugh Lehr, associate superintendent for learning services, says that scenario is unlikely.
“I don’t believe that grant will disappear. It’s just delayed,” he said. “In fact, year upon year, they seem to be getting a top-up.”
Trustee David Leahy said he was “profoundly disappointed” by the government’s decision to hold off on its funding commitments until after the school year begins.
“What the government has done is not what’s best for kids,” he said.
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