Stable but unpredictable – that was the description used during discussion of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools’ operating budget for the next fiscal year.
The School board unanimously passed a balanced operating and capital budget of $206.7-million on Monday afternoon.
Board Chair Diane Boyko says funding for pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 has stabilized and the increases from the provincial government cover enrollment growth and inflation.
But at the same time she says, “We all have this cloud of unpredictability hanging over us that makes it incredibly hard to plan. We know there will be more expenses as we adapt to the realities of physical distancing, increased cleaning and sanitizing, and physical protective measures.
Boyko says the projected enrollment growth of 674 students and the inflationary costs for things like utilities and salary increases will consume the increase in the operating budget.
On the capital side, the government is providing funding for the cost of design and planning for a new St. Frances Cree Bilingual School.