On February 10, better late than never, the provincial government released its 2024–25 school division funding plan, a week later than in previous years. For school divisions around the province, budgeting for the coming year relies on these numbers.
In total, funding will increase by nearly five percent across the board, apportioned between the divisions at varying levels, from one to nearly 10 percent per division. Specific allocations will be provided for divisions with higher needs and enrolment levels.
“This year’s funding increase goes beyond the rate of inflation and is consistent with last year’s funding increase, giving school divisions confidence in stable funding to help them best allocate their budgets,” said Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning. “Like in many other areas of life, students benefit from predictability and will benefit in the other key areas we’re making investments in through this year’s funding, giving them the support they need to succeed.”
In dollars and cents, the funding increase amounts to $67 million with the majority, $53.1 million, allocated for operating costs for public schools.
Included in the operating funding is a boost to the newly introduced provincial nutritional program of $30 million, with an additional $6.7 million from the federal government. As well, $3 million is expected to be used to help decrease class sizes in early-years classrooms.
Aside from operating funds, another $6 million has been designated for capital support, including the principal and interest costs related to building schools.
The final $7.8 million will be doled out to the province’s private schools.
How will this play out for school divisions in the southeast? The division scolaire Franco-Manitobaine (DSFM) will see an additional 3.9 percent in funding over last year, giving them a total of $79 million in provincial dollars with which to work.
The Hanover School Division (HSD) will get a 2.2 percent increase for a total of $71.9 million in funding.
The Seine River School Division (SRSD) will receive a 5.7 percent increase for a total of $41.5 million for the year.
For the second year running, school divisions will be allowed to set tax levies at their discretion, raising the levy if needed to meet their own budgets.
Manitobans will see a change on their property tax bill this year. In fall, every homeowner will receive an automatic $1,500 tax credit, intended to help offset the impact of the education tax portion of their bill.
This new tax credit replaces the rebate offered by the Progressive Conservatives in prior years, which reduced property taxes by $350 and took 50 percent off the education tax portion.
