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By David Opinko

Lethbridge’s school boards react to changes in provincial budget

Oct 25, 2019 | 2:56 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta released its first budget under the United Conservative Party Thursday afternoon.

What’s happening?

The Ministry of Education will spend the same amount on K-12 education, $8.2-billion, in 2019-2020 as it did in 2018-19. Student enrolment across the province is projected to grow by 2.2% each year in the near future, meaning that funding per capita will go down.

School expansions, renovations, and constructions that have already been formally committed will carry on as planned, but capital spending is expected to be reduced from $526-million in 2019-20 to $216-million by 2022-23.

As for post-secondary education, $225-million in education and tuition tax credits will be eliminated over the next three years. Campus Alberta Grants will be reduced by five percent.

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The freeze on tuition will be lifted as of January 1st, 2020, and will be able to increase no more than seven percent for each of the next three years.

Student loans will rise to prime-plus-one-percent. Currently, students only have to pay back their loans at prime.

The Local Reaction:

The Lethbridge School Division, Lethbridge College, and the University of Lethbridge have issued statements on these changes. The Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate Division told LNN that they are still reviewing the numbers and will likely have more information to share on Monday.

Superintendent of the Lethbridge School Division Cheryl Gilmore says, because of the new provincial budget, they are now facing a $2.9-million shortfall in their 2019/2020 budget.

“Lethbridge School Division will see an overall reduction of just over $6.5-million, due to the removal of the class size grant, classroom improvement fund and the school fees reduction grant.”

For this fiscal year, the province is allocating $203 per student in one-time transitional funding to assist with the changes of the three grant programs listed above.

“The Divison will take some time to carefully and thoughtfully review current allocations of funding and reserves to adjust the budget to meet the new reality, with the goal of minimal impact in the classroom,” says Gilmore.

The U of L’s President and Vice-Chancellor Mike Mahon says “this budget means change for the U of L and for all post-secondary institutions in Alberta.”

He adds that the University is a resilient institution that has weathered difficult budget scenarios in the past.

“While challenging, I am confident our collective efforts will allow our institution to continue to fulfill its mandate for the benefit of those we serve,” says Mahon.

In a statement provided by Lethbridge College’s President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns, she says their budgets are set years in advance, so in-year cuts are always challenging.

However, she remains confident.

“In the larger picture, we at Lethbridge College have already been focused on long-term sustainability as we have worked towards growing our enrolment and retention rates, meaning we are well-positioned to continue as a leader in post-secondary education in our province that supports the needs of the economy both in our region and across the province.”

Dr. Burns says she understands the concerns that students have regarding the freeze on tuition rates no longer being in effect.

“We will review the changes, and will work to ensure that post-secondary education remains affordable and accessible for all Albertans.”