Response to Budget 2021

Livingstone Range School Division is pleased that the Government of Alberta is prioritizing education by maintaining education spending at $8.2 billion provincially for the 2021-2022 school year. 

“We are pleased to hear that our request for a funding ‘hold-harmless year’ has been heard and granted,” says Board of Trustees Chair Lori Hodges. “It is our understanding that funding levels for the 2021-2022 school year will remain at the 2020-2021 level and that despite enrollment fluctuations due to COVID-19, funding for education will be maintained.”

Changes made in 2020-2021 to the funding and assurance model meant that LRSD would receive temporary bridge funding of over $2 million in that school year.  This funding would be reduced by $1 million in 2021-2022 and another $1 million in 2022-2023. Education Minister Adriana LaGrange’s budget announcement delays the reduction of this bridge funding until 2022-2023. 

We are hopeful that the additional funding announced for learning support will make up for some of the funding reductions LRSD experienced in the areas of PUF (Pre-K support) during the 2020-2021 school year. 

While we cannot comment on specific allocations to our Division at this time, particulars will become more clear toward the end of March, when Alberta Education will make individual funding profiles available. 

“Once we know the details of funding for LRSD we will develop our budget in alignment with our established priority areas including those informed by recent stakeholder feedback,” says Lori.

Livingstone Range School Division will release our budget and education plan for the 2021-2022 school year at the beginning of June 2021.