After the provincial government clawed back school district reserves in 2009, the Clearview School District has been deliberately running deficits. At the end of August 2010, there was $4.9 million in reserve. It is projected to be $1.67 million by August 2013.
Each year the Division is required to submit a spring budget to Alberta Education and provide a fall budget update.
All rural school districts in Central Alberta are experiencing significant student enrollment losses, including Clearview. Base funding is calculated on enrollment numbers. Supplementary funding includes a series of grants–Class Size Initiative, Inclusive Education Funding, Small School Necessity Grant, Intra-jurisdictional distance and Stabilization funding—the government’s attempt to account for schools of different sizes and students with differing needs.
Budget deliberations will continue at the Board’s next meeting starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 22 at the Board office in Stettler. Board meetings are open to the public.
