The Board of Trustees has released the 2026/27 Draft Budget, outlining a balanced plan that maintains stability, supports growing enrolment, and continues to invest in student learning - while managing rising costs responsibly.
The draft budget reflects a year of improved provincial funding, alongside ongoing financial pressures driven by enrollment growth, inflation, wage costs, and increasing student needs. While the funding announcement for 2026/27 is positive, much of the increase is formula-driven, meaning it supports existing students and rising costs rather than representing new discretionary funding.
Budget Highlights
The proposed $81.6M budget focuses on sustaining and strengthening classroom supports, with key investments including:
- Improved staffing stability and class size management
- Expanded numeracy and learning support resources
- Increased clinical and student wellness supports
- Continued progress in restoring educational assistant support in schools
Overall expenditures are projected to increase by approximately 4%, largely reflecting staffing and student-facing supports. At the same time, spending on non-staff areas such as services and supplies has been reduced to help manage overall costs.
Facilities and Long-Term Planning
The draft budget will result in deferral of maintenance projects as part of broader financial balancing. With aging facilities and schools operating at or near capacity, the division continues to carefully manage risk while planning for long-term sustainability.
The planned opening of a new school in Ste. Anne also requires a divisional contribution, which has been responsibly split over the next three years. This year, it will be designated as a reserve from the modest accumulated surplus that currently exists.
Understanding Taxation
The draft budget proposes no increase to the special requirement - however, there is still a resulting mill rate increase (11.4%) due to the reconciliation of this figure into the taxation year. The effect on tax bills will vary by home value. Depending on eligibility, the Province's $100 increase to the Homeowners' Affordability Tax Credit (HATC) may reduce the net change for some households. The average homeowner in our division will see an approximate monthly increase of $12 after this rebate is applied.
The Board's goal is transparency - ensuring the community understands that budget decisions involve choosing a responsible balance between ratepayer and classroom impact.
Share Your Feedback
The Board welcomes public feedback before the budget is finalized. Community input is especially valuable when it focuses on priorities and trade-offs.
Feedback can be submitted by email to: budget@srsd.ca until Friday, March 6
Public education is strongest when communities are informed and engaged. The Board thanks rightsholders across the division for taking the time to review the draft budget and share their perspectives.
