Following some intensely difficult months for the Seine River School Division (SRSD), the province has opted to take action by appointing a specialist to perform an internal investigation into the division’s recently reported deficit.
The SRSD oversees schools in St. Adolphe and Île-des-Chênes, as well as six other communities across southeastern Manitoba.
The specialist, Vince Mariani, has worked as a chief financial officer in the public school sector for 35 years. He was appointed by Minister of Education Nello Altomare after Altomare met with the SRSD trustee board and senior administration on December 11.
According to a recent letter received by the division from Altomare, Mariani has been given a deadline of January 31 to confirm the cause of the budget deficit, to review SRSD’s procedures for budget preparation, and to make short- and long-term recommendations for the elimination of the shortfall.
At a public board meeting held in November, the SRSD board presented a rather dire report on the division’s financial outlook.
While the board was initially led to believe that a $3.1 million surplus could be realized by the end of the 2023–24 school year, a budget review this past July showed otherwise.
In actuality, the figures revealed a $1.3 million deficit. Add to that new contracts with EAs and other groups, and the board had to face the reality of an estimated $5.3 million shortfall by the end of this school year.
According to provincial legislation, such a significant budgeting error needs to be communicated to the Minister of Education.
Since then, the SRSD board and senior admin have been tasked with the difficult job of determining where cutbacks can take place.
On December 1, joint public statements were released by SRSD board chairperson Wendy Bloomfield and Dr. Ryan Anderson, division superintendent.
“As a board, we recognize that ultimately we made errors in the preparation and approval of the 2023–24 budget,” the statement reads. “We sincerely apologize for our errors and accept responsibility. As we move forward, we are committed to continue asking rigorous questions and expecting thorough and comprehensive answers to ensure we can make the best decisions possible for all students and staff.”
The duo offered assurances of consultation and open communication with all rightsholders within the SRSD as the new budget is created. Rightsholders include students, staff, parents, and community members.
In keeping with that promise, a budget consultation survey has been included on the SRSD website, the results of which are intended to inform 2023–24 budget changes.
Survey feedback and subsequent decisions based on that feedback will be presented to the public at a future date.
Difficult as these coming days will be, at least one SRSD board member expressed a feeling of gratitude to the province on January 9, at a public meeting where the letter was read into the record.
“I appreciate the concerted efforts of senior administration and trustees in restoring the financial stability of the division and keeping us apprised of the situation,” the letter states. “Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning remains committed to working with the SRSD to address the financial challenges faced by the division and to put in place robust financial management practices.”
