Connect with us

Education

Red Deer Catholic Regional School Board approves balanced budget and 2.9% student enrollment increase

Published

3 minute read

News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

The Board of Trustees approve the 2023/2024 school year budget and Division Education Plan

On Friday, May 26, the Board of Trustees approved the 2023-2024 school year budget and the 2023-2026 Division Education Plan – Year Two Implementation Adjustments, at their Regular Board Meeting.

2023-2024 Budget:

The Board of Trustees approved a balanced budget with a projected increase in student enrollment of 2.9 per cent. Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) strives to maintain a fiscally responsible  budget with the main goal of ensuring our resources are directed toward having the greatest impact in the classroom and continue to provide a quality, faith-based education to students.

“The 2023-2024 school year budget is reflective of the Board’s continued focus on innovation, strategic planning, mental wellness and permeation of our faith,” said Board Chair, Anne Marie Watson at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools. “In addition to these priorities, the Board of Trustees and Senior Administration worked collaboratively to ensure budget decisions were also aligned with the Division Education Plan, Strategic Development Plan and the areas of focus provided by Alberta Education.”

The 2023-2024 budget will be submitted to Alberta Education on May 31, 2023.

Division Education Plan:
RDCRS is currently in the second year of the 2023 – 2026 Division Education Plan. This plan guides the strategic direction and supports the three Board of Trustees Strategic Imperatives, including:

  • Mental health and safety

  • Purposefully, tangibly, and visibly demonstrate our faith, and

  • Build a workplace culture of engagement, empowerment and innovation

The Division Education Plan was drafted following active engagement with community stakeholders in central Alberta, utilizing interviews to help develop these board priorities and link these with the Division Education Plan. Moving forward, RDCRS will continue to engage with, and prioritize, RDCRS community partners and stakeholders through a collaborative approach to foster successful teaching and learning outcomes. To view the approved Division Education Plan, please click here.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools serves over 10,085 students in 21 schools in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, and Olds. It also supports the learning of over 600 students in a Home Education Program. The Division is committed to serving children and parents with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings and within the means of the Division.

Todayville is a digital media and technology company. We profile unique stories and events in our community. Register and promote your community event for free.

Follow Author

Red Deer

St. Joseph High School Celebrates Brody Andrie’s National Boxing Championship Victory

Published on

News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools 

St. Joseph High School (SJHS) is thrilled to announce that Grade 12 student Brody Andrie has been crowned the National Champion in the 57 KG youth division at the prestigious Canada Cup & Junior Youth Canadian Championships. The championships were held at the Genesis Centre in Calgary from March 20 to March 24, 2024.

Brody, a dedicated member of Team Alberta and a fierce competitor from the Shadow Box Boxing Club in Lacombe, has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning gold in his division. This victory not only highlights his outstanding skills and dedication to the sport of boxing but also marks him as the first central Alberta boxer to be crowned a national champion in decades.

Reflecting on his victory, Brody shared, “This win is not just for me but for everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m proud to bring this championship back to Lacombe and hope to inspire other young athletes in our community.”

SJHS Principal, Gary Gylander, expressed his admiration for Brody’s achievement, stating, “Brody’s success is a testament to his hard work, perseverance, and the support of his coaches and community. We are incredibly proud of him and look forward to seeing what the future holds for this outstanding young athlete.”

This is a historic moment for both Brody and central Alberta, shining a spotlight on the talent and potential within our community.

Continue Reading

Education

Higher spending on K-12 education does not result in better student outcomes

Published on

From the Fraser Institute

By Derek J. Allison

Higher levels of per-student spending do not achieve higher student scores on standardized tests, either internationally or among the provinces, finds a new report published today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

“Just spending more on K-12 education does not lead to better student outcomes,” said Derek J. Allison, Fraser Institute senior fellow and author of School Spending and Performance in Canada and Other High-Income Countries.

The study compares provincial per-student spending on K-12 education in 2018 (the last year of comparable data) to other high-income countries in the OECD and to performance on the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

It finds that higher per-student spending levels are not associated with stronger academic achievement. In fact, in 2018, 10 countries—or one third—of the high income OECD countries included in the analysis spent more per student than Canada but achieved significantly lower PISA scores.

Similarly, among the provinces, Saskatchewan was the highest per-student spender among the provinces but ranked 8th out of 10 on PISA scores. Manitoba was the second-highest per-student spender and recorded the lowest PISA scores nationwide. Conversely, British Columbia was the lowest spender per student in Canada and achieved the fourth-highest PISA scores.

“The evidence is clear—simply spending more on established K-12 schools without finding new and better ways to help kids learn will not improve student outcomes,” Allison said.

Provincial per-student spending (2018) compared to core PISA score

Province                                          Spending                  Core PISA score

Saskatchewan                                Highest spender      8th
Manitoba                                         2nd                             Lowest PISA score
Alberta                                             3rd                              Highest PISA score
Nova Scotia                                     4th                              5th
Ontario                                             5th                              3rd
New Brunswick                               6th                             9th
Quebec                                              7th                             2nd
P.E.I.                                                 8th                             7th
Newfoundland and Labrador      9th                             6th
British Columbia                            Lowest spender      4th

Click here to see the full report

Continue Reading

Trending

X