REGINA – The 2026-27 provincial budget is in line with what school boards have seen previously and maintains commitments to increasing specialized supports but falls short of significant new investment in other areas, according to the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).

“The circumstances will vary among school divisions in the province, but overall, this budget is consistent with what we’ve seen for funding in recent years,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “However, it doesn’t represent additional investment in the sector outside of specialized support programming.”

The specialized support programming has been well-received in divisions, said Davidson, noting the budget commitment to expand that funding is consistent with the government’s promises to continue to increase the reach to more schools across a period of multiple years.

However, the budget is not keeping up with all inflationary pressures faced by school divisions, including transportation, local contracts, and funds needed to maintain infrastructure. While some planned capital expenditures are always welcome, more dollars for preventative maintenance and renewal are missing from the budget, Davidson said. Many school divisions are facing pressures around facilities.

“What is included for capital is appreciated but will not fully address the urgent needs out there,” said Davidson. “We have growing communities that need new schools, and facilities in many areas are in need of repair.”

School divisions have identified a need for preventative maintenance and renewal funding that equates to about two per cent of school value allocated annually. The current funding level is remaining stagnant at about one-half of one per cent based on the budget announcement.

“Although the industry standard is two per cent, we would be happy to see the level reach at least one per cent as a first step,” Davidson said.

The SSBA will be working with school boards over the coming months to unpack the budget.

REGINA – The Horizon School Division Board of Education has received the 2025 Lieutenant Governor’s Board of Education Award for Innovation and Excellence in Education for its submission of “From Field to Future: Inspiring Excellence in Agriculture Education”.

The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) co-ordinates the Lieutenant Governor’s Award each year. The award was presented by Her Honour the Hon. Bernadette McIntyre during the SSBA’s Annual General Assembly on Monday.

“It was a pleasure to attend the SSBA assembly, and I was honoured to present the Lieutenant Governor’s Board of Education Award to the Horizon School Division Board of Education,” said Her Honour Bernadette McIntyre. “Having grown up on a farm, I am particularly impressed by Horizon’s innovative program, teaching students about agriculture and incorporating Indigenous perspectives. I congratulate Horizon on this well-deserved recognition, and I thank them for their excellence in education.”

In its application for the award, Horizon said of its submission: “This division-wide agriculture education initiative connects students with authentic, hands-on learning rooted in Saskatchewan’s economy, culture, and environment. The goal is to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing and reconciliation through land-based learning while creating clear pathways to future education, careers, and leadership in agriculture.”

“Agriculture is the heartbeat of Horizon’s communities and culture, and it is a privilege to bring that learning to life for our students,” said Linda Mattock, Board Chair. “We are honoured by this recognition, and are profoundly grateful to the Elders, partners, and educators whose commitment ensures our students learn from the land and see bright futures in Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.”

To view a video about the award recipients, please visit: https://youtu.be/mfUGYoLvfj0

While this has been a long-standing award, this is the first time it is being recognized through the Lieutenant Governor’s office and with the new sponsorship of the Promhouse Financial Group at CIBC Wood Gundy.

At its assembly, the SSBA also recognized:
• Award of Distinction – Janet Kotylak (Prairie Valley)
• Life Member – Jaimie Smith-Windsor
• Honorary Life Member – Harry Lafond
• Degree Program Scholarship sponsored by Aon – Dani Meyer (Chinook)
• Technical/Trades Program Scholarship sponsored by Manulife – Mikeal Bird (Living Sky)

REGINA – Funds have been awarded to 15 eligible organizations across Saskatchewan to expand school food infrastructure as part of a project led by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).

Earlier this year, the SSBA was approved to receive $1 million in one-time federal government funding from the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) School Food Infrastructure Fund (SFIF) under the banner of Expanding school food infrastructure in Saskatchewan: Ensuring equitable reach.

“We are excited that we have been able to secure this investment to help support our overall school food programming goals,” said Dr. Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “We were pleased to see strong engagement across the province from organizations working in partnership with school divisions to support our children and youth.”

Eligible recipients are community-based, not-for-profit organizations engaged with school food programs.

The funded projects support objectives related to increasing the capacity of organizations to provide or upgrade food preparation spaces, storage, equipment, and transportation/delivery that improve the food environments within schools and strengthen community food security.

In total, recipients are partnered with 18 school divisions: Chinook, Christ the Teacher, Creighton, Good Spirit, Holy Trinity, Ile-a-la Crosse, Living Sky, Northwest, North East, Prairie South, Prairie Spirit, Prairie Valley, Prince Albert Catholic, Regina Catholic, Regina Public, Saskatchewan Rivers, Saskatoon Catholic, and Saskatoon Public, and one First Nations school (Clifford Wuttunee School on Red Pheasant First Nation).

Please see the backgrounder accompanying this release for more information on the recipient projects and partnerships.

“An important focus for locally elected school boards is supporting school food programming,” said Davidson. “We know this can reduce known barriers to learning, attendance and school success.”

REGINA – School boards throughout the province will again officially recognize “Orange Shirt Day”, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, together with communities across the country, as requested annually by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).

Sept. 30 is also proclaimed federally in Canada as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“The SSBA and Saskatchewan’s 27 school boards are encouraging everyone to participate in Orange Shirt Day,” said Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “It represents an opportunity for expanding our understanding of history and committing to growing toward reconciliation.”

Orange Shirt Day is part of a larger movement in the country to unite in a spirit of reconciliation and hope for future generations.

Since 2016, the Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed Orange Shirt Day every year at the SSBA’s request.

“Orange Shirt Day encourages us along the path of healing, reminding us that everyone has a role to play in reconciliation,” Education Minister Everett Hindley said. “It provides Saskatchewan residents with opportunities to acknowledge and remember the impact of residential schools on the people of our province, motivating us as we continue to work together to build safe, inclusive communities.”

REGINA – Ten schools in Saskatchewan will each receive a $15,000 grant to support student nutrition after being selected to win this year’s Mosaic School Nutrition Challenge.

“Congratulations to this year’s winning schools! Every year this challenge receives many incredible project ideas from across the province. At The Mosaic Company, our mission is to help the world grow the food it needs, we do that by producing millions of tonnes of potash that helps plants make even more food. Supporting food security through this program is an extension of that noble mission,” said Marnel Jones, Director, Government & Public Affairs.

The winning projects have goals including implementing or expanding nutrition programs, promoting cooking and gardening, enhancing facilities, increasing educational opportunities, and supporting projects with cultural components. These will be supported by the grants.

For the total of $150,000 in prizes provided by Mosaic, schools from across the province submitted their projects to compete. Schools receiving grants this year are governed by the Good Spirit, Greater Saskatoon Catholic, Holy Trinity, Living Sky, Northwest, Prairie South, Prairie Valley, Saskatoon Public and Sun West school boards.

This program began in 2006 to encourage grassroots initiatives to help improve student nutrition.

“We are grateful for Mosaic’s long-time partnership in this 19th year of the Mosaic Challenge,” said Shawn Davidson, president of the SSBA. “School food programming is a priority for our organization and central to some of our other recent initiatives. This program continues to contribute to helping to achieve our goal of reducing known barriers to learning, attendance and school success through school food programming.”

For a list of the winners, see the backgrounder accompanying this media release.