Reality Check

Calgary Board of Educations Operational Funding Situation: The CBE is predicting close to a $30 million operating deficit following the tabling of the 2015--16 budget. Their statements follow a pattern of predicted deficits followed by actually posting year-end surpluses. Reality Check: Repeated claims of insufficient operational Funding by the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) are not to be believed. Each year, the CBE criticizes the provincial budget as not doing enough for

students. The Board makes annual claims that funding is insufficient to serve a growing student population.

In many of its year-end statements, the CBEs projections are wildly inaccurate, including:

o An operating surplus of $49.8 million at the end of the 2011-12 fiscal year

after predicting a $19.2 million operating deficit at the beginning of that year.

o An operating surplus of just over $9 million at the end of the 2013-14

fiscal year after predicting a $15.3 million deficit at the beginning of that year.

The Calgary Board of Education continues to carry an accumulated surplus

(money that has been banked as a result of not spending their total allotment from government) of $50 million in operating reserves as of August 31, 2014 (up $14 million from the year previous) and $28 million in capital reserves.

Media: CBE predicts $29.3 million shortfall from budget http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/cbe-predicts-29-3m-shortfall-will-affect-every-student Key Message:

The Education department achieved 9% reductions in operating/administrative expenses in the 2015/16 budget and directed these savings to the front lines. CBE should look to do the same, first and foremost.

CBE has the flexibility to make judicious use of its accumulated surplus and contingency funds in order to ensure front-line needs are met first.

Reality Check

The PC Party believes in putting the needs of students first. There is room to be fiscally prudent in how we manage the system, while ensuring students and teachers needs are met.