by Shannon Cook, Chair, CCSD Board of Trustees
cssd.ab.ca/board-column | [email protected]
Learn more about your Calgary Catholic School District Board of Trustees!
Formed in 1885, the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) is unique in that it represents the interests of over five municipalities, which include rural, urban, and metro areas. We are one of the largest school districts in Alberta, serving approximately 62,500 students in 118 schools located in Airdrie, Calgary, Chestermere, Cochrane, and Rocky View County. The district’s budget process incorporates ongoing support of board priorities and the district’s mission/vision, as well as a review of emerging district needs, the Annual Education Results Report, and Three-Year Education Plan.
Budget Timeline:
- January – The district’s yearly budget process begins in January. Enrolment estimates for the coming school year are formulated and submitted to the government. Planning around staffing also begins.
- February – District education partners are invited to participate in a broad consultation created with the purpose of seeking input on the resource allocation priorities. Last year, “classroom support” and “wellness” continued to be identified as the highest priorities. Technology to aid each student in their learning was also identified as important. A base budget is then prepared from the information compiled, as well as the direction arising from board strategic planning and on stipulations outlined in the provincial budget.
- March – School-based staff recruitment is initiated. Approximately 80 percent of district budget expenditures are spent on salaries and benefits.
- April – A draft budget is presented by senior administration to trustees and feedback is included in a revised draft.
- May – The revised draft is presented to the Board of Trustees for further feedback and the final version is approved. Once it has been approved by the board, the budget is then submitted to Alberta Education.
Government funding accounts for 95 percent of the district’s revenue and is based on student enrolment. The amount of per student funding has decreased despite increasing complexities in the classroom. The district has also absorbed the elevated inflation costs of the past few years which means that in essence funding has decreased. The current funding formula used by the government is challenging for growing districts such as CCSD as the formula results in the funded count being significantly lower than actual enrolment.
CCSD maintains an accumulated operating surplus in alignment with government expectations to provide an adequate amount of savings to cover any potential funding shortfalls. At the same time, the district ensures that funds are prudently spent in classrooms to deliver successful student outcomes. In recent years, the district has elected to use savings to fund budgeted deficits. However, this approach is not sustainable. Your Board of Trustees is advocating to the government to adequately fund education for the future successes of our students. Learn more by reviewing our advocacy booklet at cssd.ab.ca/advocacy.
