The Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees has approved a balanced budget through the proposed partial use of reserves. The 2020-2021 CCSD budget captures the combined effects of the stipulations of the provincial budgets of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, as well as the new provincial funding framework for education. The 2020-2021 CCSD budget was presented to the Board of Trustees today, Wednesday, May 27, at a virtual board meeting.
"This budget strikes a balance between protecting students, staff and resources in the classroom to the greatest extent possible, while preserving the long-term operational and financial stability of the district," says Mary Martin, Chair of the CCSD Board of Trustees.
The district is budgeting $613.5 million in revenues and $618.4 million in expenditures for the fiscal year September 1, 2020, to August 31, 2021. The result is a $4.9 million operating gap, which will be balanced through capital transactions and a proposed transfer from reserves. Additional points regarding the 2020-2021 CCSD budget:
- The operating gap of $4.9 million, after adjusting for capital transactions, results in a $1.7 million proposed draw down from reserves, which is subject to ministerial approval.
- The operating gap arises from the need to ensure that spend reduction is implemented at a measured pace and provides an opportunity for district operations to readjust to the new provincial funding model.
- The budget takes into consideration all three scenarios for the resumption of classes - normal operations, health restrictions and learning from home, by factoring in costs associated with 30 additional teachers (contingency and guest teachers) and personal protective equipment. It also includes the addition of 19 Full-Time Equivalent Educational Assistant positions, which will be instrumental in supporting the students of Calgary Catholic. Educational Assistants laid off on May 1, 2020 are invited back to work in September, no matter which of the three COVID-19 scenarios outlined by the Ministry of Education emerge.
- The budgeted reserves for August 2021 are $14.1 million, representing 2.3% of annual spend, which establishes a reasonable level to sustain the size of the district's operations.
"The 2020-2021 budget includes spend reductions impacting all areas of our operations," says Chief Superintendent Bryan Szumlas. "However, we have ensured the reductions in Board, Administration and Instructional Support are at a steeper rate, to lessen the impact felt in our classrooms. While we are facing external pressures, the district will continue to prioritize high-quality, faith-based teaching and learning."
The approved budget will be submitted to the Education Ministry by the May 31 deadline.
