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Home > What's New > New funds: What's our share? |
July's news of additional funding from the provincial government has now been widely reported. Although there is good news for CBE, there's also uncertainty about how much money is on its way and whether it's one-time funding or part of a long-term plan. Here's a closer look at the numbers.| Latest press coverage Tuesday, July 11: Calgary Sun | Calgary Herald Wednesday, July 12: Calgary Sun | Calgary Herald |
The $119 million in additional money brings school board IMR maintenance budgets to a province-wide total of $200 Million for this year.
The extra $61 million for classroom support will be used to reduce Alberta classroom sizes, enhance base instruction in the classroom, support English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and help children with severe special needs across the province.
Among other things, in the CBE the classroom support funding should cover the salaries of approximately 65 new teachers, boost funding by an additional 4% for children with severe special needs, extend ESL funding from five to six years and reduce class sizes at the Kindergarten to Grade 3 levels. It could total an extra $13 million for learning initiatives.
| DID YOU KNOW The $426 million figure used to describe CBE's deferred maintenance backlog comes from Alberta Government audit findings initiated in 1999. |
While relieved to receive new, much-needed funding, CBE Trustees nonetheless had two key questions:
1. What is the CBE's share?
2. Will this be sustainable funding?
They anticipate the money will come in at about $20-$25 million for maintenance.
Assuming that's the case, and if it's ongoing for the next three years, "we could complete maintenance that would keep the rain out and the heat in," says Pat Cochrane.
Faced with its deferred maintenance pileup of $426 million (based on Alberta government numbers), CBE recently compiled a "partial, sample list" of repair work (at particular schools) where roofs, windows, floors and boilers need to be repaired or replaced immediately. The Board sent the list to Minister Zwozdesky in May.
By the numbers.
Here are some key numbers to keep in mind as Alberta Education makes further announcements regarding funding (in particular, maintenance funding).
| Current Alberta government surplus (one year; Apr.01/'05-Mar.31/'06) | $8.7 billion |
| Provincial Education budget, 2006-'07 | $5.5 billion |
| CBE budget, 2006-'07 | $838 million |
| Annual IMR maintenance budget (from Province) - Alberta | $81 million |
| Deferred maintenance backlog - Alberta | $1.2 billion |
| Annual IMR maintenance budget (from Province) - CBE | $14.3 million |
| Deferred maintenance backlog - CBE | $426 million (Alberta govt audit) |
| New IMR maintenance funding - Alberta (from Province) | $119 million |
| New IMR maintenance funding - CBE (from Province) | As yet unannounced |
| Annual funds to hold the line on CBE deferred maintenance backlog | $15-$30 million |
| Percentage of a facility's replacement cost needed to maintain it annually | 1-2% |
| Total replacement costs - CBE school facilities | $1.5 billion |
| Mid-range cost to fix a school roof | $300,000 |
| Approximate # of CBE schools that spring a leak during storms | 40 |
| School roofs (equivalents)** currently fixed annually by CBE | 9 |
| Potential labour/materials cost hike for repairs deferred six months in Calgary | Up to 50% |
| Percentage of CBE schools more than 40 years old | 50% |
** Portions of roofs -- as opposed to complete roofs -- are often completed in single school years.
Additional information
CBE letter to AB Education Minister Honourable Gene Zwozdesky (May, 2006)
CBE Facility Condition Report , (December, 2005)
Calgary Board of Education, Calgary’s public school system
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Web Administrator: Laura Diemert
Last Modified:
September 13, 2006
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