PROVINCE RECOGNIZES EDUCATION EQUITY TASK FORCE PROGRESS

Minister of Learning Andrew Thomson today released the preliminary map of school division boundaries provided to him by the Education Equity Task Force.

The map, and its related data, will be used as the basis for discussions between the task force, school division officials, and education stakeholders beginning in August. The map proposes 33 restructured school divisions from the current 81 divisions. It also provides a basis for more uniform mill rates across the province, and meets the criteria established by the Minister in May of this year.

"I am pleased to release this preliminary map of the task force, as it shows a great deal of progress in moving toward a more sustainable education infrastructure in the province," Thomson said. "Clearly this is not the final version of the boundaries; however, it does provide a reasonable starting point for the task force to begin its consultations with stakeholders."

The task force has arranged meetings with boards of education and education stakeholders from August 17th to October 21st, 2004. The task force will make their recommendation regarding new school division boundaries to Minister Thomson by November 15th, 2004. The new boundaries will take effect January 1st, 2006.

Despite the voluntary amalgamation program that has been in place since 1995, Saskatchewan still has the largest number of school divisions in the country. The average enrolment per division in Canada is 12,500 students. Saskatchewan has an average of 2,100 students per division, with 38 divisions serving fewer than 1,000 students.

Thomson appointed the Education Equity Task Force on May 19th, as part of the government's three-phased approach to education reform that is focused on improving equity, affordability and sustainability of the province's education system. In addition to restructuring school divisions, the initiative includes a review of the foundation operating grant system and addressing the issue of the education portion of property taxes.

"In announcing the reforms this spring, we established a number of conditions that would strengthen our education system. At that time, we also indicated that stakeholders would be given the opportunity to provide their advice on how to ensure the restructuring helped streamline the education system in order to provide more resources to classrooms at the local level," Thomson said.

The Education Equity Initiative outlines some of the biggest changes to the province's education system in over 60 years. Updates on the initiative are available on the Saskatchewan Learning website at www.sasklearning.gov.sk.ca.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Dianne Shannon Learning Regina Phone: (306)787-0926