File photo of the Palliser School Division's office in Lethbridge (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Palliser School Board approves budget for 2021-22, deficit projected at $1.5 million

May 26, 2021 | 10:28 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Palliser School Division’s Board of Trustees has approved the 2021-22 budget.

It was approved during the board’s regular meeting on May 25. The budget will have services maintained at present levels, but with a deficit projected at around $1.5 million.

The board plans on requesting permission from Alberta’s Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange to use a portion of its reserves to bring the budget to a balanced state.

In a release, the school division noted that revenues for the 2021-22 school year remained the same as the funding profile supplied by Alberta Education last spring.

The release stated that, “the Palliser School Division is pleased there was no funding reduction but is concerned that funding for student growth and increases in costs are not being met, putting a strain on the education system.”

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The division predicts “modest student enrollment growth” for next year, “coupled with a 7.85 [per cent] increase in the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan costs and the yearly staff salary grid increases that have contributed to the deficit budget.”

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and during budget deliberations, the board has aimed to limit any negative impact on the classroom and student learning. During the 2020-21 school year, Palliser boosted mental health supports for students. The hope is to continue providing these supports going into next year.

Palliser said that, “the board also committed to maintaining the present number of teachers in the division and the strong support for our students requiring specialized services.”

It was noted that to offset the inflationary cost pressures, some centralized positions that are open will not be filled this budget year.

“The board’s utilization of its limited reserves for the 2021-2022 budget year is a short-term solution but they strongly believe that this approach will benefit Palliser students, families and staff following a very challenging school year and address the unknown factors as we enter into the school year next fall.”

The board has also directed administration at Palliser to continue its efforts to reduce the budget deficit.

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