CBE Administration

During all the discussions and media coverage surrounding the provincial budget impacts on the Calgary Board of Education, CAPSC has had a few inquiries from parents asking for clarification around just what administration is and what is included as an administrative cost. We decided to send an inquiry to the government through Alberta Connects to get a definitive answer and their response appears below.

Alberta Education defines board governance and system administration as activities performed for the purpose of regulation and direction of the affairs of the school board. It includes costs related to the Boards of Trustees, Superintendents, Secretary-Treasurers and their staff. Examples of costs that may be included are: salaries, supplies, travel, member fees, school board elections, financial accounting, legal services, human resources and insurance related to central office. In general, boards use their discretion to determine the appropriate amount to allot for central office and system administration based on their local circumstances. Nonetheless, Education provides a standard recommendation that boards allot between four and six per cent of total expenditures for system administration, depending on the size of the jurisdiction.

We also confirmed this information with the CBE and yes, as Alberta Education had indicated, the Board of Trustees and Superintendents are included within their approximate 3.7% of total expenditures for system administration - including the lease of the new Education Centre. However, this number will likely change as administration positions are included in the phase 1 position cuts as outlined in the CBE Response to the Provincial Budget.