ASSINIBOIA - The budget was presented to the Prairie South School Division Board on May 3, 2022 and was met with strong support from the trustees, with a 10-0 vote in favour of the 2022-2023 budget.
The overall cost increase is $5.5 million, which puts Prairie South in a position where the deficit is $4 million. Prairie South is using its reserves to maintain the same level of educational services as for the 2021-2022 budget year. Prairie South has achieved efficiencies over the last decade, which has allowed it to establish and access a reserve fund.
Prairie South has significant operating and inflationary costs that were not covered by the increase in funding by the provincial government.
The division says the budget process is never an easy one, yet the it worked diligently to ensure the board priorities remained the focus for the 2022-2023 year. Some of the highlights include: classroom size and supports, enhancing opportunities for students and infrastructure maintenance.
The Prairie South School Division says it is able to support these key priorities by using $4 million of the reserve funds along with the funding provided by the provincial government.
