The Wild Rose Board of Trustees approved the budget for the 2023-24 school year, following a presentation from the Temporary Associate Superintendent, Business and Finance, Roger Hall and deliberation by the Board on Tuesday, May 23. The budget includes an operating deficit of $377,642 to be covered by the division’s operating reserves.Total revenue is projected at $63.56 million with expenses of $63.94 million.

The 2023-2024 School Division funding profile has changed significantly.  This is with respect to funding increases but also changes in particular grants. 

In 2023-2024, the division is projecting a modest increase to students of approximately 35.  The funding is based on Weighted Moving Average so this estimate accounts for 50% of overall funding for the base instruction grants in the 2023/2024 school year. The division has allocated funds for staffing of 269.7 full time equivalent (FTE) teachers (including four held in contingency) and 103 full time equivalent (FTE) educational assistants.  This is an increase of 5.76 FTE teachers and 11.4 FTE Educational Assistants compared to the 2022-23 school year budget submission. The classroom support approved by the Board in addition to extra educational assistants hired through the Federal Jordan’s Principle funding has resulted in increased support for students. 

The Board continues to direct additional funding to support the following areas within Wild Rose:

• Wellness of students and staff has always been a focus of the Board and the continuation of the family wellness workers and assistants with no change is built into this budget.  These individuals will continue to provide mental health support for schools. In addition our Director of Wellness was successful in achieving a funding allocation from the provincial Mental Health in Schools Project that will also be used to support mental health in schools.
• Classroom complex needs also continue to be a focus that is supported by additional educational assistants with a new allocation model that will provide consistent ongoing funding to our schools for their complex needs. The student services facilitator teacher FTE will remain the same as well with a more streamlined reporting process that will allow more time to support students. 
• The School Resource Officer Program is an additional allocation by the Board to support liaison RCMP officers within our schools. This program is also supported by municipalities. 
• The Board will also continue to focus on helping division staff move forward in their commitment and understanding of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. The budget for this area reflects the need for both the federal truth and reconciliation requirements as well as the provincial teaching quality standards mandate. A dedicated team will be in place to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit students experience success, enhance communications, and increase the cultural awareness  between the school and the First Nations, Métis and Inuit community. In addition this team will provide a vital social and cultural link between the school and the community.

The budget will be submitted to Alberta Education and will be posted to the division website by May 31. 

For more information, please see the Annual Budget Report as well as a more detailed description of the budget  in the document 2023-2024 Wild Rose Budget Supplemental Information.