The Chair of Saskatoon Public Schools Board of Education says there is a flaw in how provincial funding is distributed for supports for learning, meaning they are spending $11-million more than they receive.
Colleen MacPherson explains that this funding goes toward education assistants for high needs students and special programs to help students, and there is a growing need for these kinds of supports.
Right now, the funding formula is based on enrollment numbers and some community information.
MacPherson says the Board doesn’t believe the funding is being distributed equitably because it’s not going to where the students are, so they need to have discussions with the Education Ministry about correcting that.
It’s too late for the 2021-22 school year, but the hope is to get some answers before the following year’s budget.

The deadline for the Board to approve a balanced budget is June 30th.
MacPherson says right now they are facing an $8-million deficit despite the $4.6-million increase in the funding from the province.
That covers the two per cent salary increase for teachers but MacPherson says there are other expenses, including contractual obligations to other employee groups, rising costs, and a raise in CPP rates, which will cost an additional $900,000.
As the Board looks for ways to cut costs, MacPherson expects there will be an impact on schools.
She adds that in past years they have been able to use discretionary reserves to balance the budget but they are depleted so it’s no longer an option.