Holy Spirit Catholic School Division board office (Photo courtesy Holy Spirit Catholic School Division)

By David Opinko

Holy Spirit approves budget with $1.8-million shortfall, 21 layoffs

Jun 5, 2020 | 6:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – It is a tough year for school boards across Alberta, and the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division is no exception.

They approved their 2020/2021 operating budget last week that has a shortfall of $1.8-million.

“We’ve been faced with a difficult budget this year. We’re certainly not alone in the province on this front,” says Board Chair Judy Lane. “I don’t think there is a single school division that isn’t being faced with serious financial challenges.”

The new budget has revenues and allocations of $63.5-million, marking a decrease of $200,000 from the previous year. This is despite Holy Spirit expecting to have an additional 130 students in the coming term.

With anticipated expenditures of $64.4-million, Lane says they will have to use $889,446 from their reserves to offset that.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: November 12-17, 2024

Nov 12, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: November 4-10, 2024

Nov 04, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this week: October 28-November 3, 2024

Oct 28, 2024

She adds that the province’s funding commitment is not sufficient to absorb wage increases “due to grid movement for teachers and support staff.”

“Nor will this cover increases to non-wage costs such as insurance, utilities, software licensing and hardware, as well as the unknown costs anticipated from school re-entry after the COVID-19 global pandemic.”

Superintendent Ken Sampson says they have done everything they can to mitigate layoffs, but were not able to avoid it entirely.

“The division’s teaching staff will not face a reduction, even though 130 additional students are expected. Instead, 21 positions have been cut in other areas; over 20% of which will come from the division’s Central Office.”

The full report on the 2020/2021 Holy Spirit Operating Budget can be found here.