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Feb. 18, 2021—To the Honourable Cliff Cullen, Minister of Education

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Feb. 18, 2021—To the Honourable Cliff Cullen, Minister of Education February 18, 2021 The Honourable Cliff Cullen Minister of Education Legislative Building 450 Broadway Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8 Dear Minister Cullen: River East Transcona School division is the second largest school division in the province. We offer quality education programming to our students while having the lowest cost per pupil in the urban area. Our administration cost cap is currently 2.4%, .3% lower than the government directive of 2.7%. RETSD can do this because of the effective and efficient budgeting process it follows. The division has consistently developed lean budgets that maximize revenue supports to provide for students. Our Board is proud of this accomplishment. As have all school divisions in the province, we recently received your funding announcement. The announcement outlines financial support from the province as well as restrictions and limitations placed on our local school board. The impact of those restrictions and limitations is magnified in our division due to the existence of a fiscally responsible and lean budget. Specifically, RETSD Board of Trustees may not raise local education property tax above the level assessed last year. The province is providing school divisions with a 2% Property Tax Offset Grant (PTOG) to make up the shortfall in revenue. Unfortunately, the 2% PTOG does not adequately address the actual costs the division is facing just to maintain a status quo budgetary position. The provisions of Bill 28 dictate that our employees will receive a 1% salary increase this year. Many of our teachers will also be receiving an additional annual salary increment. Our division is experiencing unprecedented expansion and student population growth. We will require additional teaching and support staff to attend to the learning needs of an increasing student population. It is desirable that class sizes be maintained at a student-teacher ratio that enables the meeting of student learning needs that have been negatively affected by the pandemic. Costs of utilities and other consumables are increasing. All these factors combined place the school division in a deficit position when our ability to raise revenue is restricted. RETSD Board of Trustees budget for the needs that the division will be experiencing. The current one size fits all PTOG approach by the government is based on what was in the division. The Board has local knowledge that a centralized department would not be expected to possess. Yet, financial school funding is being established without the benefit of that local knowledge, without that local voice. As it stands now, RETSD will be faced with a shortfall in revenue to maintain service at a status quo level. We ask for an opportunity for us to provide you with the local information you currently lack so that a more informed approach to school funding for RETSD can be established. If your government truly wants to deliver a stronger education system that puts resources in classrooms, not board rooms, than working in partnership with school boards is critical. Together we can build a stronger education system. Consultation and conversations would be in the best interest of the students we serve and the community we represent. Minister Cullen, this continues to be our message to you. Sincerely, Jerry Sodomlak Chair, Board of Trustees cc: Hon. Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba Wab Kinew, Leader of the Official Opposition, New Democratic Party of Manitoba Dougald Lamont, Leader of the Liberal Party of Manitoba Nello Altomare, Transcona Hon. Cathy Cox, Kildonan River East Jim Maloway, Elmwood Andrew Micklefield, Rossmere James Teitsma, Radisson Matt Wiebe, Concordia Hon. Jeff Wharton, Red River North .
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