Saskatchewan’s elected boards of education/Conseil scolaire fransaskois (CSF) require funding for education to maximize student achievement, develop the potential of all students, affirm the worth of each individual, and lay the foundation for learning throughout life.
The fundamental principles that guide all decisions for education finance are:
- Sufficiency: The amount of funding provided to boards of education/CSF by the provincial government must be sufficient to respond to the actual costs of provincial goals and priorities, to provide a high quality program to all students, and to accommodate local programming, innovation and initiatives.
- Autonomy: Boards of education/CSF derive their authority from The Education Act, 1995 which gives them the authority to manage the school division in a way that reflects local needs and priorities. In addition, the CSF derives its authority from section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Balance: Education funding is a balance within these nine stated principles. As well, balance is attained between conditional and unconditional funding.
- Equity: Funding is allocated so that all elected boards of education/CSF have the resources they need to provide opportunities for each student to benefit.
- Involvement: Boards of education/CSF are equal partners, along with the provincial government, in meaningful decision making regarding funding formulas, accountability processes and resolving issues.
- Predictability: Clearly defined predictable funding formulas are needed to enable longterm and sustainable program planning by boards of education/CSF.
- Reciprocal Accountability: Elected boards of education/CSF are responsible for achieving educational goals and objectives and the provincial government is responsible for providing the resources needed to achieve those goals and objectives.
- Sustainability: Reliable, factual data is used to establish funding.
- Transparency: Straightforward information about education funding is monitored and available to the public.
Click here to read Saskatchewan School Boards Association opinion articles and briefs related to education finance.
Research Centre Reports
Research Centre Report #08-01: Funding K-12 Public Education in Saskatchewan: Some Ideas – A Discussion Paper (2008)This report was developed to advance consideration and discussion of alternate approaches to funding K-12 education. Funding principles for the funding of public K-12 education in Saskatchewan as well as a summary of how K-12 education is funded in other provinces are included in this discussion paper.
Research Centre Report #06-04: A Facility Planning Guide (2006) This guide describes current practices for school facility planning, including rationale for long-term facility planning, steps in the planning process and links to key facility planning resources.
Research Centre Report #03-06: Fees, Fundraising and Fairness – A Guide for Schools (2003) An aid for schools and school boards in decision making regarding school fees and fundraising.
Research Centre Report #02-05: Corporate Involvement in Catholic Education (2002) What is the Rationale for Community-Education Relationships? What are the Issues in Community-Education Relationships? What are the Catholic Church Persepctives on Corporate Involvement? What is the Policy Development for Corporate Involvement?
Research Centre Report #01-01: A Proposed K-12 Capital Funding Program for Saskatchewan Schools (2001) With current challenges to resources, what are other forms of fund-raising?
Research Centre Report #96-14: Alternate and Non-Traditional Funding for K-12 Education in Saskatchewan (1996) With current challenges to resources, what are other forms of fund-raising?
Research Centre Report #95-01: Public School Finance in Saskatchewan: An Introspective (1995) How Should Education be Funded in Saskatchewan?
Research Centre Report #90-12: A Review of Operating and Capital Grant Formulas For Education in Saskatchewan (1990) Does the Foundation Operating Grant Distribute Funding Appropriately?
Research Centre Report #37: Saskatchewan: System of School Grants (1870-1974)