Board chair Suzanne Stubbs and education director Lorel Trumier going over the report Monday evening. (Michael Joel-Hansen/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Education wrap up

Catholic school board looks back on 2018-19

Jan 14, 2020 | 1:42 PM

The Prince Albert Roman Catholic Separate School Division took a look back on the previous year Monday evening.

At the board’s monthly meeting, trustees were presented with the division’s annual report. The document contains an array of information ranging from finances to some of the year’s highlights.

On the financial side, the school division reported a deficit of about $1.4 million. Greg McEwen, chief financial officer for the school division, explained this is not unusual for a school organization and didn’t require money to be moved around or any changes.

“A lot of times you will see a planned deficit due to amortization. That’s in the financial statements, basically an accounting estimate for decrease in capital assets,” he said.

The deficit reported Monday was smaller than the $1.6 million originally forecasted. Overall the reported deficit was about $165,000 smaller.

Imminent need

Council set to discuss possible location for homeless shelter on 15th Street

30m ago

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

15h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

19h ago

McEwen credits the smaller than expected deficit to increase revenue and some unforeseen savings.

“From the board on down there is a focus on efficient use of the resources of the school division,” he said.

A large amount of the division’s expenses are salaries for employees. McEwen said schools, like many public sector organizations, are faced with the challenge of finding sufficient money to cover increased expenses.

“Costs never go down,” he said.

Another major highlight of the report was an increase in the number of students enrolled in the division’s schools. The report showed 80 more students were enrolled overall. The division’s director of education, Lorel Trumier said she is happy with the increase in students.

“What we saw is a good representative from all of the schools, where there was an increase in most of them,” she said.

Trumier added they are also excited about the number of students going to École St. Mary High School. The director credits the increase in enrolment to their student engagement work.

When it comes to accommodating new students, Trumier insists they are prepared to take anyone interested in a faith-based education.

“I think that we’ve have lots of room [for those] that want to come to our school division,” she said.

—

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn