CBE fall budget update including additional funding

The Calgary Board of Education issued a news release today concerning the quarterly update that will include information on additional funding received this fall. The text of the release follows:

The Calgary Board of Education's Administration presents an updated budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year to the Board of Trustees on Dec. 6.

The operating budget for the school year is approved annually by the Board of Trustees in June. In the fall, after enrolment figures are finalized as of Sept. 30, Administration provides a budget update to the Board of Trustees for approval.

The 2011 fall budget update is largely unchanged from June.

Budget revenue of $1.130 billion is up $30.2 million since June as a result of:

-$19.2 million of additional, one-time funding from the province announced in October;
-$2.5 million of funding to support inclusive education ( Action on Inclusion);
-$1.0 million for transportation fuel;
-Base funding increases of $1.4 million related to enrolment growth; and
-Use of $6.1 million of revenue that was carried forward from 2010-11 to complete planned initiatives.

When the provincial government returned $107 million to the education budget in October the CBE portion was $19.2 million. The CBE distributed the funding directly to principals, enabling them to decide the best way for the money to be used in their schools. The funding enabled the CBE to hire the equivalent of 224 full-time, positions in schools; 159.5 full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) were teachers and 64.7 FTEs were support staff.

An inclusive education system means that children and youth, regardless of their ability or disability, language, cultural background, gender or age are valued in the same way.

The provincial government reinstated funding to offset increases in the price of diesel for school buses.

The total CBE enrolment as of Sept. 30 was 104,212 students. This is 880 more students than the June forecast. The increased enrolment, which is funded by the government, translated into $1.4 million of additional funding.

The report to the Board of Trustees entitled "November 30, 2011 Budget Report Update to the 2011/12 Operating Budget" is available at this link.