Prairie Rose looks to upcoming year budget, plans for locally developed courses

Posted on June 1, 2023 by Ryan Dahlman

By Anna Smith

Commentator/Courier

With the end of the school year almost here, Prairie Rose Public Schools looked to the coming next one in their May 23 public board meeting.

Student Services Coordinator Carol Carlson presented the 2022-2023 First Nations Metis Inuit (FNMI) Report. It was noted that currently, 3.2 per cent of the division’s population identities as FNMI students. Carlson shared various ongoing projects underway as part of the education plan. 

Further details on this report and on many of the FNMI related projects happening across the division can be found within the May 23 agenda package.

Superintendent Reagan Weeks presented the updated 2022-2023 Education Plan for approval. This is the second year of the three-year plan, and only minor changes were made to update learning progress and evaluation to the “ignite minds, kindle hearts, forge futures and truth and reconciliation” model.

The 2023-2024 budget was presented. Total revenues for the school division are expected to be $57,861,807, with expenses coming in at $58,029,188. Overall, the school division is forecasting a deficit budget for the year of $167,381. 

Reasons for this included an expected enrollment decrease of 32 funded FTE students, wage increases for support staff, and an expected increase in division insurance premiums, among other factors, such as increased EA hours and four new bus routes being added to the transportation plan.

The board approved two courses, developed and to be taught by local Alberta Health Services. The courses are Social Literacy 15 and Social Literacy 25. Both of the courses focus on health and personal wellness, and a total of one credit will be awarded to students who complete either course.