Speaking Notes – Regina Public Schools
March 21, 2006

• Thank you very much for the opportunity to address your Board.

• I'd like to start off by explaining a little about the CTF…who we are and what we do. Then I'd like to go over some of our concerns relating to the budget and renewal process currently underway.

• The CTF is a federally incorporated, non-profit and non partisan advocacy organization dedicated to lower taxes, less waste and accountable government.

• We were founded here in Saskatchewan in 1990 and today we have more than 72,000 supporters nation wide.

• It often surprises people when they learn we're strongest right here in Saskatchewan. More than one third of our supporters are in this great province.

Introduction

• I'm sitting here today because of a decision taken by this board on December 13, 2005.

• According to the minutes of that meeting your Board voted to move the deliberations behind closed doors to discuss the "Renewing Regina Public Schools" plan that was submitted for your approval.

• Upon returning, the decision was taken to rescind the recommendations of the renewal plan.

• We believe this was a serious mistake.

• Because the Renewal document makes a compelling case for reforming the school system.

• In addition to addressing the issues around infrastructure, enrolment declines, and budget pressures, it outlines a vision for the future of the system.

• That vision includes larger, more populated schools with solid and sustainable facilities. It talks about how schools with more resources can provide better programming.

• The renewal proposals paint a picture of a future school system that is more efficient and sustainable.

• The bottom line is that INACTION on school renewal carries a hefty price tag.

• That price will be paid by ratepayers, teachers and students alike.

• It will be paid by ratepayers in the form of higher taxes.

• It will paid for by students in the form of reduced educational opportunities.

• It will paid for by teachers and staff in the form of a deteriorating work environment.

Declining enrollment

• As you are probably aware, declining enrolment poses a serious risk for the Regina School Board.

• Regina Public Schools is forecasting significant short and medium term decline at the elementary level.

• In 2009…just three short years…there will 1,376 fewer elementary students than there were in 2004.

• To put that in perspective, that's like losing the combined populations of Coronation Park, McDonald, Imperial, McDermid, Haultain, Dieppe, Mclurg and Hercmer schools.

• That's eight schools.

• We have schools that don't have enough students to put together a kindergarten class.

• On the high school level, declining enrolment is even more severe.

• Total enrolment is expected drop by nearly 2,000 students by 2014.

• To put that in perspective, that's the equivalent of losing the combined population of four high schools:

• Cochrane, Johnson Collegiate, Martin Collegiate, and Scott Collegiate.

• "Renewing Regina Public Schools" called for the creation of fewer, but larger schools.

• Larger schools help school administrators create better class configurations and provide curricular and extra-curricular programs.

• Larger schools reduce the number of split-grade classes. Indeed, we may be looking at more than two grades in one room if changes aren't made.

Infrastructure

• Another challenge Regina Public Schools is facing is aging infrastructure.

• The policy presented to the Board was to "retire facilities that have significant facility repair needs, and that, because of location, do not demonstrate sustainable future enrolment."

• That policy could save $1.6 million in annual operating costs and eliminate a $15.3 million in deferred maintenance obligations.

• These reductions include significant savings of $4.8 million this year alone.

• That's millions of dollars that can be directed toward actual school programming, instead of going to refurbishing old buildings with uncertain futures.

School Taxes

• The dual challenges of declining enrolment and deteriorating infrastructure are putting enormous pressure on Regina Public schools.

• This year's 367 student enrolment decline translates into a $1.8 million drop in provincial grants.

• Salaries and benefits, and virtually every other spending category are expected to increase faster than inflation, when you compare budget to budget.

• These factors combined lead to a $7 million dollar shortfall which will be taken, one way or another, from Regina taxpayers.

• It's important to note that, had the renewal recommendations been accepted, that shortfall would be reduced to $2.1 million.

• It must be acknowledged that Regina residents pay one of the highest school tax bills in Canada.

• For a 25-30 year-old bungalow…around 1,200 square feet…the average school tax bill is $1,200 per year.

• The home described is not a resident of the wealthy elite.

• You will not find a home such as this in a golf course community. This is a home for young families just starting out….or…perhaps more commonly…seniors on fixed income.

• We're concerned that, through all the debate around the possibility of school closures, the interests of taxpayers have been ignored.

• The CTF opposes a mill rate increase in the upcoming budget.

• Taxpayers are already facing extraordinarily high school tax bills and should not be asked to pay more.

• The CTF does, however, support efforts to lobby the provincial government to increase its share of school funding.

• We also recognize that local authorities must adopt workable plans to maximize the benefit of local school dollars.

• That's why "Renewing Regina Public Schools" is so important.

Conclusion

• On December 13, this Board had a discussion behind closed doors and decided to rescind the recommendations in "Renewing Regina Public Schools."

• We believe this was a mistake.

• Perhaps more importantly, we feel these decisions should be made publicly.

• We have two recommendations:

• First, we call on the Board to implement all the recommendations in "Renewing Regina Public Schools" in order to make the school system sustainable and effective.

• Second, we recommend there be no mill rate increase in the coming budget.

• As most of us know, members of the Board will be facing the electorate very soon. We think your positions on this matter should be made public long before then.

• As much as some members of the public perceive the renewal recommendations negatively, the CTF senses optimism and vision for a more robust public education system.

• And that's the reason the public and the politicians ought to embrace those recommendations.

• Thank you for the opportunity to address you this evening.

(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)

By: David MacLean
Posted: March 20, 2006
Topic: Saskatchewan

Contact the regional director Colin Craig for further information.

Type: Related

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