WSD seeking input on budget proposals

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This article was published 15/02/2017 (3335 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg School Division (WSD) is developing its 2017-2018 budget amid what it says are challenging circumstances.

Provincial funding, which represents 61 per cent of the WSD budget, increased by $2.6 million for 2017-2018, the WSD said. The 1.4 per cent gain is less than half what it says it needs in order to maintain existing programs and services.

“As a school division, we have only two options to raise revenue to balance the WSD budget — increasing the school tax levy or reducing programs and services,” WSD Board of Trustees finance committee chair Chris Broughton said. “We are considering a school tax levy increase as low as three per cent as part of a range of options for a school tax levy increase.”

Broughton said the Board is taking different options to the community at a series of meetings — the first of which takes place tonight (Feb. 15) at 7 p.m. at École Stanley Knowles School (2424 King Edward St.) — before submitting a budget to the City of Winnipeg for special levy by March 15. They are: a three per cent school tax levy increase with approximately $5.1 million in budget reductions; a 3.9 per cent increase with approximately $1.2 million in budget reductions; or a 4.5 per cent increase which includes approximately $1.3 million in additional programs, including autism early intervention and assistive technology programs.

“WSD reviews all of its programs and services on an annual basis as part of our fiscal responsibility to manage tax dollars,” Broughton said. “We’ve identified a number of programs where potential changes could help us achieve some or all of the $5.1 million reduction — and those are changes we want to consult our community about.”

The community will be consulted on funding for school resource offices and adult crossing guards. Reductions to the WSD Nursery program and transportation policy improvements designed to generate future savings will also be on the table.

“Despite limited funding from the provincial government, we intend to deliver quality education and continue to increase WSD graduation rates,” Broughton said.“We are committed to our students and ensuring they are successful in their learning careers.”

Tony Zerucha
East Kildonan community correspondent

Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@gmail.com

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