Wild Rose School Division (WRSD) may see a smaller deficit than expected in next year’s budget following a recent funding announcement by the province.
Alberta Education and Childcare recently announced a 2.32 per cent increase in learning support grant rates for the 2025-26 school year, and the additional funding could decrease the division’s projected $645,475 deficit.
Read more: Wild Rose School Division releases 2025-26 budget
WRSD made note of the change during the board’s June 17 meeting.
The division also met with the new manager of First Student, Kristopher Norton. He reported that several mechanical issues have affected bus routes in the Rimbey corridor and as a result, four new buses have been ordered.
First Student has contracted with a third party vendor in Drayton Valley to expedite the maintenance of these buses in the north when there are minor repairs.
The WRSD Board of Trustees was also joined by the Canadian Parents for French during this meeting, who requested the division revisit its decision to suspend the Grade 8 French Immersion program due to low enrolment.
Division officials say in Rock Mountain House, French Immersion has seen decreasing enrolment for several years. Following a discussion on the benefits of the program, WRSD committed to reviewing possible solutions, but was unable to commit further funding to the program due to budgetary constraints.
Comments