Students and Families

What our budget shortfall means for students and families

Edmonton Public Schools’ ﬁrst priority is, and will always be, our students. Our publicly elected Board of Trustees is committed to making sure all students receive a quality public education, and $34.4 families and community are key partners in that effort. But provincial government funding cuts are forcing us to make tough decisions. million less funding for students in our The provincial government has stated that the provincial Division this education budget is frozen until 2022–23. This is despite school year alone. the fact that Alberta schools will enrol 15,000 new students each year.

Frozen education funding and more students will mean fewer dollars per student each year. Eliminated sources of funding for Edmonton How we’re responding Public Schools 2019–20 school year We’ve taken immediate action to stretch taxpayer dollars and Class Size Initiative grant ...... $46.5 million preserve programs and supports for students and families. School Transportation Fees grant ...... $5.3 million Some things we’re doing now include: School Fees grant ...... $2.6 million » depleting our surplus to cushion this year’s shortfall » implementing a hiring freeze for Central departments Subtotal ...... $54.4 million » combining 27 yellow bus routes with Edmonton Catholic Minus one-time transition grant...... ($20.0 million) Schools, for a savings of $650,000 Total reduction ...... $34.4 million » eliminating non-essential out-of-town travel and professional development for staff » reducing spending by $1 million on external contractors For the 2020–21 school year, the Division who provide student educational assessments is anticipating a further $66.5 million » reducing spending by $1.5 million from our Equity Fund, budget reduction. which schools access to respond to unexpected needs We’re focused on keeping as many taxpayer dollars as possible in the classroom. For this year, the Division’s overall budget is $1.2 billion and we’re using that funding to serve almost 105,000 students.

Where our money comes from Fees 2.3% Other sales and services % % 1.6% 94.3 5.7 Gifts, donations of operational funding of revenue comes from and fundraising comes from the other sources like fees, 0.9% provincial government other sales and services, Provincial Government Other (including rental and the federal government 94.3% and investment income) 0.7% Federal Government 0.2%

How we use the money we receive

Service, contracts and supplies 78.9% 16.6% 16.6% is spent on salaries and is spent on goods Amortization % beneﬁts for our educators, and services 4.4 support, custodial, Salaries and bene!ts maintenance and exempt % Interest (non-union) staff 78.9 and other 0.1%

How we spend money to support students Plant operations and maintenance 14.8% % % % 76.5 14.8 3.6 Transportation % of our spending is spent on is spent on 3.6 is on instruction operating and transporting Board and system Total instruction of students maintaining students to administration schools and from school 76.5% 3.4% External services 1.7%

All ﬁgures based on our 2018–2019 audited ﬁnancial statements.

To learn more about our budget, visit epsb.ca/ourdistrict/budget. Transportation costs

As a result of the provincial budget, Edmonton Public Schools is receiving $5.3 million less in funding for transportation, compared with previous years.

Currently, we are paying more for transportation services than we receive in user fees. For 2019–20, we were headed for a transportation funding shortfall of $7.7 million.

2015–20 transportation funding, revenues and shortfall The gap will continue $50 M $5.3 M $7.7 M to grow unless we $2.9 M $3.2 M do something. $40 M $4 k $7.7 M $7.8 M On December 10, 2019, the Board of $11.4 M $8.8 M $11.8 M Trustees decided to raise transportation $30 M fees for families who either haven’t been paying (for yellow bus service) or

$20 M have been paying a subsidized amount $32.9 M $33.6 M (for ETS passes). The Board of Trustees $30.3 M $26.9 M $28.1 M also approved charging transportation $10 M fees for Kindergarten students, who have previously received free busing.

$0 M The fee increases takes 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20* effect on February 1, 2020. Alberta Education Fees and Shortfall funding other revenue

* 2019–20 represents transportation revenues and expenses from the fall budget update.

While these fee increases will help bridge a portion of the We will work with funding gap for this year, we need to think more broadly about how Edmonton Public Schools provides transportation families to examine services to families, and what we charge for that service. our options.

External services BOARD OF TRUSTEES % 1.7 WARD A Cheryl Johner WARD D Trisha Estabrooks WARD G Bridget Stirling WARD B Michelle Draper WARD E Ken Gibson WARD H Nathan Ip WARD C Shelagh Dunn WARD F Michael Janz WARD I Sherry Adams

To learn more about our budget, visit epsb.ca/ourdistrict/budget. Public education matters and you have a role to play. Let your voice be heard! We need your help to ensure Without adequate, predictable and sustainable funding, we face signi!cant changes to staf!ng, programs and services. our students continue to receive Email your provincial MLA and of!cials in government with the best education possible. your concerns about cuts to public education funding, and copy your trustee.

Alberta Government

Premier of Alberta Honourable Jason Kenney [email protected]