Black Gold School Division

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  • Alberta Budget 2017: What’s in it for Black Gold?

    Posted on    Posted in BGSD, Board, General

    Yesterday’s announcement of Alberta’s provincial budget indicated that the Ministry of Education will increase spending from 7.9 billion last year to $8.2 billion in 2017-18 due to student enrolment growth.

    Black Gold Regional Division No. 18 (BGRD) is appreciative of the government’s recent overall investment in education including a commitment to fund enrolment growth and infrastructure, and to reduce school fees. “We look forward to working with the province and appreciate the government’s investment which supports Black Gold’s focus on providing the most optimum resources possible for student learning”, said Board Chair Johnette Lemke.

    As the Division works through the government’s most recent investment in education, it will be focusing its core values in order to “Inspire Success”.  “One thing can be certain,” stated Lemke “We will continue to manage our resources responsibly to make sure that we are able to maintain high standards, outstanding learning opportunities and a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe environment for all our students.”

    At a quick glimpse, below are some of the education budget items that families should be aware of and ultimately what it means to the Division.  Parents and key stakeholders will receive education budget updates as more announcements and implications are provided.

    What Black Gold is applauding…

    Funding for Enrolment Growth

    Black Gold is thankful that the government has committed to funding enrolment growth. As a division that has been growing by approximately 500 students each year, funding based on enrolment numbers is essential to its success and securing the resources and instructional support necessary for all students.

    Investment in School Fees

    Through Bill 1: An Act to Reduce School Fees the government will eliminate school fees related to instructional supplies or materials and transportation for eligible students who live more than 2.4 km away from their designated school. This government grant investment means it will cost less for families to send students to our Black Gold Regional Schools.

    What Black Gold is analyzing…

    Commitment to Infrastructure

    The government announced it will spend nearly $1 billion on school capital across the province during the next four years, including schools for new neighbourhoods, modernizations and replacements for aging buildings. Details on which school projects will be funded will be announced next week. As Black Gold’s student enrolment population grows, so does its need for new schools and modernization, which leaves the Division hopeful they will be included in the announcement.

    Funding Adjustment to Credit Enrolment Unit (CEU)

    The government has announced that it is reducing the maximum of funded credits, also known as the credit enrolment unit (CEU) cap, for high school from 60 to 45 CEUs per student. At this point in time the Division is still looking at what impact the reduction will have on high school programming.

    News Release: Alberta Budget 2017 – What’s in it for Black Gold?

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