Board Advocacy

BGSD Senior Administration and Trustees engaged in spring planning

Alberta’s education system is under increasing financial strain. To maintain the quality of education and ensure students have access to the best possible learning experiences, school divisions need sustainable and predictable funding.

• Addressing Funding Shortfalls: Despite increasing operational costs, funding for instructional services has not kept pace with inflation. The Base Instructional Grant, which provides most of the funding for BGSD, increased by 1% in 2022–23, and 6% in 2023–24, coupled with an instructional decrease higher than 6% through the loss of bridge funding (resulting in a net decrease). There was a 0% increase in 2024–25. After the 2024 budget was set, the government provided a 1.1% increase in July of that year. This funding pattern has resulted in year-over-year teacher and support staff cuts.
• Supporting Growing School Populations: Many of our schools are experiencing rapid enrolment growth, yet the Ministry of Education's funding model does not always reflect the true costs of serving additional students.
• • The Government of Alberta has used a Weighted Moving Average (WMA) to assess the number of new student enrolments. While BGSD appreciates the predictability of funding with the WMA, it does not fully fund student enrolment growth because the number of funded students is always less than the actual number of students in the school system.
• Investing in Specialized Staff: To provide students with the support they need, divisions must be able to afford learning support teachers, guidance counselors, and other specialized staff. Ensuring wages remain competitive is crucial for attracting and retaining skilled professionals.

Preparing students for post-secondary education and career success is a key priority. Dual-credit programming permits students to earn both high school and post-secondary credit, giving students the chance to jump-start their careers. The Government of Alberta’s dual-credit collegiate school initiative is a positive step toward addressing the province’s skilled labor shortages, but challenges remain in funding dual-credit programs.

• The Cost of Dual Credit Programs: These programs allow students to earn high school and post-secondary credits simultaneously. But with tuition costs ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 per student, funding remains inadequate.
• Ensuring Access for All Students: After almost 17 years of dual-credit implementation, school divisions have yet to see a sustainable funding structure for dual-credit programming. Without this funding structure, school divisions must divert resources from regular classrooms to cover the costs of dual-credit programming. We continue to advocate for sustainable funding so all students can access these valuable learning opportunities.

Classroom complexity continues to grow as students face diverse challenges, including learning disabilities, language barriers, and mental health concerns. Providing appropriate support requires increased investment in specialized resources.

• Increasing Program Unit Funding (PUF): This funding is essential for supporting early intervention programs, and helping students with complex needs succeed in school. A systemic increase in PUF would ensure equitable access to education for all students.
• Enhancing Student Learning Support (SLS) Funding: Additional funding is needed to provide inclusive education supports for K-12 students, ensuring that every child receives the help they need to succeed.
• Expanding Mental Health Supports: Schools play a critical role in students’ mental well-being, yet funding for mental health initiatives remains insufficient. Increased collaboration between government ministries is needed to provide comprehensive support services.

Many communities within our division are experiencing significant population growth, placing increased pressure on our schools. Without proper planning and investment, overcrowded classrooms will negatively impact student learning.

• Expanding School Capacity: École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School is currently at 112% student capacity, and is projected to reach 120% by September 2026. While the City of Beaumont has committed to providing serviced land for a new school, provincial funding is needed to move forward with construction.
• Investing in Safe and Modern Learning Environments: Students need access to well-equipped classrooms, up-to-date technology, and safe learning spaces. Sustainable funding for infrastructure improvements is essential to meeting these needs.

As part of 2025's Provincial Budget announcement, The Black Gold School Division has received planning funding for a new high school in the City of Beaumont. Located in Beaumont's Azur neighbourhood, the new school will have a projected capacity of 1,100 students.

• Beaumont's current and only high school, École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School, is currently over its maximum student capacity at 112% utilization, with increasing pressure expected as the community grows. It is projected to reach 120% utilization by September 2025. This new school will help ease enrolment pressure a great deal.
• This project is being undertaken on a joint school site in partnership with the Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic School Division (STAR Catholic). Read more.

MLA Brandon Lunty (third from left) shakes hands with Board Chair Esther Eckert. Ward 3 Trustee Barb Martinson, Superintendent of Schools Michael Borgfjord (right), and ÉCPS Principal Rachel Djordjevic (left) joined them for the modernization announcement.

-

In its 2024 budget, the Alberta Government approved construction funding for the full modernization of École Corinthia Park School (ÉCPS) in Leduc. The modernization project has been at or near the top of the Board's requests for capital funding for several years, and the Board is happy to report that a full overhaul of ÉCPS's mechanical, plumbing, and electrical infrastructure is now underway.

• The estimated cost of this project is $14.8 million.
• This school currently serves 472 students. After completion of this modernization project, ÉCPS will have a capacity of 534 students. Read more.

In 2024, Calmar Secondary School was officially designated as a collegiate school by the Ministry of Education. In partnership with Northern Lakes College, this will permit Calmar Secondary to offer dual-credit programing in skilled trades education. To reflect this new programming, the school will officially become Calmar Secondary Collegiate School in September 2025. The initial focus will be on exposing students to the following three trades:

• Electrical
• Plumbing, Gasfitting, and Steamfitting
• Carpentry

Calmar Secondary Collegiate School will continue to offer a full range of academic programming. Students who choose not to pursue the skilled trades pathway can take courses in business, finance, management and entrepreneurship; fine arts and design studies; sports; technology, and more. They will also play a central role in marketing the projects made in-house.

Construction on the new school addition is planned to be completed soon, in time to begin teaching skilled trades classes in September 2025.

(L-R) School principal Dan Lake, Leduc school trustees Gary Hansen, Angie Charpentier and Barb Martinson, Board Chair Esther Eckert, MLA Brandon Lunty, Leduc Mayor Bob Young, and Superintendent Michael Borgfjord cut the ribbon to officially open Ohpaho Secondary School.

Members of the Dancing Cree group.

In September 2024, Leduc Celebrated the grand opening of Ohpaho Secondary School in Leduc. This high school's name means "taking flight" in Cree, and its opening was marked with both a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a traditional Cree dance.

Ohpaho Secondary School features new and increased programming options for Leduc-area students, including an industrial/commercial kitchen for a culinary arts program, an art kiln for the ceramics program, dedicated spaces for robotics, 3D printing and design/merchandising, video broadcasting and production, horticultural/agricultural studies, and an outdoor classroom.

The school’s name, Ohpaho, means “taking flight” in Cree. It was chosen as part of the Board’s commitment to reconciliation. The name captures the spirit of public education—to help students soar toward a brighter future. Read more.

Left to right: Division Principal Chris Stiles, Associate Supt. Raymond Cable, and Associate Supt. Chelsey Volkman.

Board members and Black Gold's senior administration posing for a group photo. Go Oilers!

On May 7th and 8th, Board members and Black Gold senior administration attended their spring planning session. Together, they reviewed community input regarding BGSD's Policy 19—which outlines how bullying, harassment, and discrimination is addressed in our schools. This, and other issues discussed during spring planning, are an important part of how the Board determines its advocacy priorities.

BGSD Trustees and Supt. Michael Bordgjord with Minister of Education Demetrios Nicolaides.

Minister Nicolaides speaking at ARES.

On March 1st to March 3rd, BGSD Superintendent Michael Borgfjord and the Board of Trustees attended the Alberta Rural Education Symposium in Enoch, Alberta. This annual symposium is a chance for education stakeholders—parents, teachers, school administrators, trustees, municipal leaders, health care professionals, county counsellors, business leaders and individuals from a rural context—to make their voices heard.

Board Chair Esther Eckert speaking with MLA Lunty and MLA Boitchenko.

Board Chair Esther Eckert (left) and Trustee Robyn Steed (right) posing for a photo with MLA Brandon Lunty (centre).

On May 10, MLA Brandon Lunty (Leduc-Beaumont) and MLA Andrew Boitchenko (Drayton Valley-Devon) joined Black Gold trustees, senior administrators and school staff for a tour of École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School (ÉSBCHS) to see first-hand how the rapid population growth in Beaumont is posing significant challenges for the school. Learn more.

BGSD Board members and Superintendent Michael Borgfjord with MLA Brandon Lunty.

Trustee Devonna Klaassen with Sherwood Park NDP MLA Kyle Kasawski.

On May 8, Board Chair Esther Eckert, and trustees Barb Martinson, Devonna Klaassen and Gary Hansen, along with Superintendent of Schools/CEO Michael Borgfjord and Associate Superintendent Chelsey Volkman, attended the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) MLA reception in Edmonton to meet provincial officials and discuss the challenges facing the Black Gold School Division. Learn more.

MLA Boitchenko touring Robina Baker Elementary School with Trustee Klaassen.

MLA Boitchenko and Trustee Klaassen introducing themselves to a class at Robina Baker Elementary School.

On March 4, MLA Andrew Boitchenko (Drayton Valley – Devon) joined Trustee Devonna Klaassen for a tour of the Robina Baker Elementary School’s Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 4 programs, and to discuss the successes, challenges, and opportunities facing the school. They were joined by Principal Jared Coffin, Assistant Principal Danielle Kirton, and School Council chair Serena Grimson.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with our local MLA in such a meaningful way,” said Trustee Klaassen. “We were able to delve into some complex topics – addressing current challenges and how they came to be, as well as exploring possible solutions we can pursue together.” Learn more.

BGSD Supt. Romanchuk and Senior Administration with the Members of the Board, Minister Wilson, MLA Lunty, and MLA Boitchenko.

BGSD Supt. Romanchuk and Trustees meeting with Minister Wilson, MLA Lunty, and MLA Boitchenko.

Every year, the Board of Trustees meets with elected officials in communities within Black Gold to share information and advocate for a strong public education system. On September 20, the Board of Trustees met with Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson, MLA Brandon Lunty (Leduc-Beaumont), and MLA Andrew Boitchenko (Drayton Valley-Devon).

“One of our core values is relationships,” said Board Chair Esther Eckert. “The evening was a successful relationship building opportunity with our three MLAs. We appreciate their genuine interest in working with us and willingness to advocate for Black Gold.” Learn more.