Medicine Hat Public School Division shares Fall budget updates

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 17, 2025.

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com

The Medicine Hat Public School Division has prepared its 2025-26 Fall budget update, which has been presented to trustees and reports a balanced approach as student enrollment levels continue to decline.

The school division reported a decrease of 123 students from the last school year to a total student population of 6,914 and student base grants rates did not increase from last year, resulting in no increase of funding to address rising costs.

The decline in students also resulted in a reduction of grant funding.

However the school division reports no significant changes from its spring budget in operations and maintenance, transportation, system administration and external services.

Overall the 2025-26 budget is pegged at more than $98 million, a $2.7 million increase from the division spring budget at more than $95 million.

An anticipated increase in local revenues from this spring equalling approximately 3.3 per cent, with the major driver being the addition of licensed child care programs provided an offsetting increase that went towards staffing expenses.

Instructional grants increased by 3.5 per cent largely due to the ATA wage settlement leading to salaries and benefits, which account for three quarters of the operating budget, to increase by 4.4 per cent.

Due to uncertainty in the ATA settlement from spring to fall the division decreased total staff by about 4.5 full-time positions.

Following the ATA settlement, teachers will receive a four-year, three per cent increase which impacted the current fall budget by six per cent.

CUPE negotiations were reached in the spring which resulted in an increase in salaries by 5 per cent this school year.

The MHPSD has no major capital projects planned, but will continue to invest in maintenance, technology and equipment.

Operating reserves are projects at slightly higher than three per cent of expenditures, which aligns with provincial targets.

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