FOOTHILLS SCHOOL DIVISION NO. 38
Foothills School Division maintains focused on student engagement, support, and success after provincial budget announcements

The Foothills School Division (FSD), serving over 8,700 students south of Calgary, maintains a positive outlook after the provincial budget was released on the afternoon of February 29, 2024. 

Announced on March 1 at a press conference announcing the Ministry of Education's Capital Plan, Foothills School Division received the welcome news that Design Funding for the new high school in Okotoks has been approved. Design funding is the third of four steps to build new schools under the Province's project funding framework. A new high school in Okotoks has been a priority within the division's Capital Plan since 2015 and this announcement of funds indicates the Province's commitment to safe, welcoming, caring, and respectful student learning in the region and reducing the capacity pressures experienced at École Secondaire Foothills Composite High School / Alberta High School of Fine Arts.

Additional announcements within the provincial budget that may impact FSD students include:

• More than $1.5 billion over three years for learning supports funding to support vulnerable students, children with specialized learning needs and other students requiring additional supports.
• $209 million for Program Unit Funding (PUF) in 2024-2025, including $26 million over 3 years in additional funding to provide timely and early education for children with severe developmental disabilities or delays.
• Transportation funding of $492.7 million to public, separate, francophone and charter school authorities in the 2024/25 fiscal year, which is an increase of $79.8 million from the 2023/24 fiscal year.
• $2.1 billion to build and modernize schools, construct modular classrooms, and support collegiate and public charter schools. Full construction funding has been approved for 19 school projects.

While FSD awaits further information from the province and 2024-2025 Alberta Education Funding Manual, the division will continue to draft its operating budget and refine its efforts to reduce last year's operating deficit.  The deficit from years previous are largely due to the increase in operating costs that limit investment into student learning, including insurance, transportation, repairs and maintenance of capital assets, and an increase in staff absences. 

Grateful for the Province's commitment to learning and investment into our future leaders, Foothills School Division remains focused on the engagement, support, and success of each learner, and continuing to provide high-quality learning that transfers within the frameworks set by Alberta Education.