Grande Yellowhead Public School Division (GYPSD) has approved the budget for 2025-26 at about $65 million with a projected $0.16 million deficit.
The division attributes the deficit to cost pressures from insurance premiums following the Jasper wildfire, inflation due to the U.S. tariff war and unfunded negotiation settlements, among other factors. An Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) settlement may also be reached during the upcoming school year, which could further impact expenses.
Operational funding is relatively stable compared to last year, however, officials say costs are continuing to increase significantly, as are the number of students requiring additional supports.
While some increased costs have been covered by the Government of Alberta, there are still gaps in support. With some staffing levels shrinking this year, the division says if funding does not continue to increase to offset rising costs, it will implement a plan to reduce staffing over the coming years as well.
Certificated staffing is expected to be reduced by 10.0 full time equivalent (FTE) positions this year. Non-certificated FTE staff will be reduced by 12 positions, or about five per cent. The division says the non-certificated decreases will be seen in the Mental Health in Schools Initiative, Crescent Valley Indigenous Language Culture Program and unsupported CUPE agreements for 2021-24 and 2024-28.
Provincial funding for the 2025-26 budget increased by about $912,000 from last year, an increase of less than two per cent, the division notes.
The division serves around 4,500 funded students across 17 schools and five learning connection sites, and expects enrolment for 2025-26 to be almost the same as last year.
The budget was approved during the May 21 GYPSD board meeting.
