Horizon School Division pass 2023-2024 budget

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Vauxhall Advance

Vauxhall Advance

On May 30 the board of trustees of Horizon School Division approved the operating budget for the 2023 – 2024 school year. 

The budget indicates total revenue of $51,564,673, an increase in total revenue of eight per cent over the previous year’s budget, with 96.6 per cent of all revenue being sourced directly from the Government of Alberta. The additional revenue has been used to support an additional 11 students, add 2.75 full-time equivalent teachers and approximately 18 full-time equivalent classroom assistants, enhancing transportation services, increasing school operating budgets and addressing the requirements of the division’s collective agreements. 

Expenditures totalling $51,616,056 were approved, leaving a small deficit of $51,383. The deficit is the result of “a non-cash allowance for the future remediation of hazardous materials.” The remediation of these materials is normally funded by Alberta Education when a building is modernized. The operating budget is balanced with the revenue that will be received. 

“This year’s budget allows a continuation of the board’s three strategic priorities: quality teaching and optimum learning; response to instruction, and wellness and well-being,” states Marie Logan, board chair. 

The budget continues to fund support services that have benefitted students in division schools, such as counselling, mental health coaching, speech language intervention, career counselling, English language learner supports, and assistants to support students with complex needs. 

Division schools also enjoy an average class size of 16.87 students per teacher, one of the smallest in the province. While classroom complexity is a reality in today’s schools, the budget allows staff to continue offering quality programming and excellent instruction to students.