CBE saves full-day kindergarten with one-time funding from board reserves

The Calgary Board of Education has voted in favour of using $1.2 millionfrom reservesto fund six full-day kindergarten classes that wereslated to be cut next school year.

The motion was brought forward by Ward 11 & 13 trustee Julie Hrdlicka.

"We showed some leadership on what this board values, and we value our students," she said. "We value the most vulnerable students, who often get lost in a crowd and can easily be forgotten about."

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Hrdlickasaidthe decision shows that student learning is a priority for the board, butshe added they realize it's a Band-Aid solution a sentiment echoed by all the trustees during their discussion Tuesday.

"It's somethingas a school boardwe struggle with every year. And until weget adequate, sustainable funding, we are going to be challenged, and so that's what puts us in this position to make very difficult decisions," she said.

Sends a message to province

Hrdlicka saidshe hopes a second motion passed by the board sends a message to the province about the CBE's priorities.

It asks the government for more than $2 millionto fund all 16 full-day kindergarten programs.

"The fact [is] that we as a system do not get funded for it and have committed to doing it," she said.

"Meanwhile, we hope the government is able to get a message from us that we need you, as the leaders in public education, with students as their priority, to take this on and support us by funding full-day kindergarten, particularly for our most vulnerable."

Negatively affect CBEreserves

The Ward 5 & 10 trustee, MarilynDennis,said she worriesthat using the money will negatively affect the status ofCBE'sreserves,whichare already at just one per cent of its total budget.

"I'm a little concerned about the risk we put ourselves in around depleting our reserves anyfurther. But I do think it should certainly send a message to the province that full-day kindergarten matters to our students," she said."And I think it's OK to ask them to demonstrate their commitment to that as well."

The provincial government hadit in their election platform, and we're going to remind them- RichardHehr

Ward 8 & 9 trusteeRichard Hehrsaid he thinks it's a fair ask of the government.

"I think this board has just stood up for kids. We have taken a vote and said these vulnerable children are in need of our assistance, in need of education, in need of full-day kindergarten," he said."The provincial government hadit in their election platform, and we're going to remind them."

In a statement, Education Minister David Eggensaid his government has fully funded enrolmentgrowth, injecting nearly $100 million more into the CBEbudget than would have been the case under the previous government.

He said this increased funding has meant more teachers, smaller classes and additional learning supports.

"Given this fact, I expect the CBE to balance its budget without impacting front-line staffing levels or classroom conditions," he said."I'm confident that through this budget process they will do what's right for kids and parents in Calgary."

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