GOVERNMENT OF SASKATCHEWAN SUPPORTS HIGH-GROWTH SCHOOL DIVISIONS

As part of the Government of Saskatchewan's commitment to managing growth, Education Minister Russ Marchuk today announced a mid-year funding increase for those school divisions experiencing significant enrolment increases. At the same time, he also announced a plan to increase the number of relocatable classrooms on-site and ready for students at the beginning of the 2013-14 school year.

"Today, we are responding to the challenge of growth in our school system," Marchuk said. "We heard from the school divisions that they have challenges given the unprecedented growth Saskatchewan is experiencing. This includes funding to provide education services and finding space for new students."

Eight school divisions in high-growth areas of Saskatchewan together will receive an additional $6.6 million in mid-year funding. Saskatoon, Martensville and Warman communities represent more than 50 per cent of the total provincial enrolment growth of almost 2,300 students. The eight divisions include:

1. Lloydminster RCSSD 89
2. Prairie Spirit SD 206
3. Prairie Valley SD 208
4. Regina RCSSD 81
5. Saskatoon SD 13
6. South East Cornerstone SD 209
7. St. Paul's RCSSD 20
8. Sun West SD 207

School division operating funding for 2012-13 is based on divisions' prior-year enrolments.

Marchuk said this practice worked well for many years, as school enrolment numbers were generally flat or even declining.

"However today we have a new reality where some school divisions are seeing large enrolment increases from one year to the next," Marchuk said. "Today's announcement addresses this new reality in a growing Saskatchewan."

The Government of Saskatchewan also committed an additional $800,000 to implement a process that will result in 40 to 50 new relocatable classrooms added for the start of the 2013-14 school year.

"Right now, it takes about approximately six to nine months once a relocatable classroom is approved to design, build and install the classroom," Marchuk said. "We need to speed up that process to make sure that our school facilities can expand to accommodate enrolment increases."

These relocatable classrooms will be factory fabricated and constructed using a standardized design to accelerate the construction and delivery to schools most in need. Over the coming months, school divisions will be asked to provide input into the designs of the new relocatable classrooms.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Leya Moore
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca