Mid-school year funding of $7.5 million will be provided to school divisions to assist in dealing with front line pressures, Premier Scott Moe announced on Feb. 6.
The funding will allow school divisions to hire education professionals immediately. This funding comes earlier than committed and will increase to $30 million directed to hiring 400 in-school education professionals and other school board priorities once annualized in the 2018-19 budget.
“Over the last several months, I have heard from parents and educators that additional funding is essential to ensure that our children receive the highest quality education possible,” Premier Moe said. “This $7.5 million in immediate funding will put essential classroom supports in place before we introduce the full amount of $30 million in the 2018-19 budget.”
Locally, this will mean $345,700 for the Southeast Cornerstone School Division, and $48,200 for the Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division.
“I fundamentally believe that not a wheel turns in our economy without quality education and that societies that prosper and succeed are those that invest in education,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Gordon Wyant said. “Premier Moe and I are committed to ensuring Saskatchewan students have the supports they need to succeed, and this announcement is just the beginning of a renewed and respectful relationship with our teachers and education partners.”
“Saskatchewan’s school boards greatly appreciate increased funding to support the students in our province’s education system,” President of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) Dr. Shawn Davidson said. “We hope this announcement signals that the 2018-19 provincial budget will provide the restored and renewed investment that is critically needed in school division operating budgets.”
The funding will be distributed through the ministry of Education by way of the current education funding formula using the components that directly provide supports for the classroom. The ministry will work closely with school divisions to ensure the mid-school year funding increase is distributed as quickly as possible.
