Red River Valley School Division (RRVSD) approved a budget of $38.81 million last month, accompanied by a notable $1.44-million property tax offset grant.
This year’s budget leads to a mill rate increase of 1.33 per cent; a figure lower than that of neighboring school divisions. This slight uptick translates to an average increase of $14.07 for homes valued at $200,000.
The provincial government allocated $17.96 million towards RRVSD’s budget this year, marking a 1.7 per cent increase in operating funds, amounting to $264,000. However, a portion of this increase, amounting to $140,000, has been earmarked for new nutrition funding.
In the face of inflation, board chair Heather Poirier says their biggest challenge in financial planning continues to be a growing population with less money.
“Everything costs more, especially the costs of buses and keeping buses on the road.”
This became clear with the division’s transportation budget hike, reaching $3.36 million. It includes a 12 per cent surge in fuel budget and a substantial 29 per cent increase in maintaining the fleet of 55 buses. With 59 per cent of the division’s 2,344 students relying on these buses for transportation, spanning from Starbuck to St. Malo and covering a total of 1.48 million kilometers annually, these adjustments are significant.
Most of the budget is allocated to salaries. For instance, teaching salaries alone are budgeted at $15.55 million this year. However, negotiations between the Manitoba Teachers Society union and the Manitoba School Board Association are underway, hinting at potential wage increases. Additionally, other regular instruction salaries amount to $3.11 million, contributing to a total budget of $21.8 million for regular instruction.
There have also been increases in support staff salaries, alongside the creation of new administrative positions within the division. There are also allocations for student support services, division administration, operations, and maintenance, along with fiscal responsibilities including short-term loan interest and bank charges.
According to Poirier, setting priorities with an already tight allowance for expenditure was no easy task.
“As RRVSD moves forward with its budget allocations, it aims to address both immediate needs and long-term educational priorities within the community.”
RRVSD conducted a public budget survey in February to gain public input. It garnered 374 responses, 28 more than the previous year.
The results of the survey were similar to last year, with educational programming supports identified in order of importance including literacy (76 per cent), numeracy (63.6 per cent), mental health support (61.2 per cent) and speech and language pathology (54.3 per cent).
Responding to the survey, Poirier said, “Our priorities, and what we have heard from our community and stakeholders, is more money and support for Speech and Language Therapy, as well as mental health support. We have added in these areas to support our community. Also keeping all programs status quo and not cutting anything was a huge priority.”
As the division returns to their new “normal,” Poirier noted that in-person meetings are a priority.
“And finding ways to support all of our staff from custodians to teachers so they can do their jobs to their best abilities is also a big priority.”
