Prairie Land Regional Division (PLRD) is tightening its belt a little more after finalizing its enrollment numbers at the end of September.
Enrollment was finalized at 1415 students in PLRD, a net loss of 20.5 full time equivalent students from projections made in the spring. The result is that revenue for the school division will decrease by roughly $149,932.
Each student equates to roughly $7,252 of funding.
PLRD has adapted to the funding shortfall by cutting back in areas that don’t directly contribute to the immediate needs of the students or classrooms.
“We’re trying to balance that to make a balanced operating budget for the year. We’ve made some cuts, reducing resources and spending at the district level. We will work on a deficit on operations and management, but in instruction we are working on balancing the budget,” said Wes Neumeier, superintendent for PLRD.
Prior to the revenue shortfall, PLRD was operating with a balanced budget.
The news comes at a time when the division was already anticipating a considerable drop in funding next year.
“We’re cut pretty slim right now and we’re facing another reduction of about $490,000 at the end of this year, because of the removal of the rural stabilization fund. We’re still asking for reconsideration of that reduction,” said Neumeier.
Should the rural stabilization fund not return, the division is considering other options. Neumeier explained that they would consider cutting back on staffing in areas that don’t directly impact the students.
However, Neumeier favoured another approach.
“We’re looking at starting an Albertan Open Learning Consortium. Prairie Land is working with Prairie Rose and Livingstone Range [School Divisions] to see how the three divisions can share their teaching expertise through video conferencing and make it seamless. If they have extra space, Prairie Land can make use of it,” said Neumeier.
The hope is video conference technology will still allow the same quality of education, but help save money through partnerships.
“The achievement rates in regards to video conference classes are maintained or improved,” said Neumeier. “With the technology today, it really brings people together.”
