Notable News From the Edmonton Catholic Schools' Board of Trustees 

Fiscal Outlook: 2024-2025 Budget Approval and Funding Challenges

At the May 29, 2024 Public Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees approved Edmonton Catholic Schools’ 2024-2025 Division Operating Budget. The budget forecasts total revenues of $594.7 million and expenditures of $608.9 million, resulting in a $14.2 million Operating Deficit.  

The key assumptions for this year’s budget include the following: 

• The total number of students for the 2024-2025 school year is forecast to increase by 5.7%, with growth expected across most grades.
• 79% of the budget is directed to instruction and supporting students in the classroom, while the remaining funds are spent on maintaining schools, providing student transportation, system administration, and external services. 
• ECSD has allocated 2.6% for system administration, which remains below Alberta Education’s ceiling of 3.2% for system administration expenditures.
• The Division will continue to fund schools based on enrolment and provide additional funding allocations for schools based on needs.
• ECSD students will continue to have a broad spectrum of program choices to meet their diverse interests and create excellent Catholic educational opportunities. 

This is ECSD’s fifth budget based on Alberta Education’s Weighted Moving Average (WMA) funding model, which was first announced in February 2020.  

“We anticipate the equivalent of approximately 2,000 students who will not be fully-funded in the 2024-2025 school year,” said Board Chair Sandra Palazzo. “Once again, this has been a challenging year for us due to the limitations of the WMA funding model. It does not create the stability and predictability intended for Boards like ours that are experiencing exceptional growth. We will continue to share this message with the province.” 

For 2024-2025, the Division is preparing to draw down the Accumulated Surplus from Operations (ASO) by $12.2 million to support student needs. The Division has consistently worked to identify efficiencies wherever possible to ensure that it delivers quality Catholic education while addressing a difficult landscape. 

Going forward, and without significant changes to educational funding, the Division has significant work ahead of it to continue to substantially adjust our operations and services. Our Board of Trustees strongly advocates for changes to the WMA as a means of allocating funds because it does not create the intended stability and predictability for Boards that are experiencing exceptional growth. 

Recognizing Excellence: Remarkable Achievements Throughout Our Division

The Board of Trustees had the privilege of acknowledging and celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of numerous exceptional Division staff members in recent months. These individuals have exhibited extraordinary dedication, innovation, and leadership within our educational community, contributing significantly to our collective success. Their exemplary efforts have not only enriched the learning experience for students but have also inspired and empowered their colleagues. It is through their tireless commitment and passion for education that they have truly made a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve.

Christina McLachlan, Gina Daus, and Laura Kunce were awarded the Excellence in Catholic Education Award. This prestigious accolade is a testament to their unwavering commitment to fostering a nurturing and faith-filled learning environment. Their efforts in integrating Catholic values into their teaching have profoundly impacted our students, guiding them not only academically but also spiritually.

Theresa Antonakis who has been named the Canadian Association of Principals’ Distinguished Principal of the Year. This national recognition highlights her extraordinary leadership and vision in school administration. Her ability to inspire both students and staff, drive academic excellence, and create a positive school culture sets a standard for principals across the country.

Darrin Deforge, Elizabeth Dokken, Heidi Maas, Mellissa Mall-Masih, Todd Eistetter, and Vivian Coulombe who were awarded the ATA Council for School Leadership Distinguished Leadership Awards. These principals, assistant principals, and central office leaders are recognized by their colleagues for their outstanding contributions to the field. The selection criteria align with the competencies outlined in the Alberta Leadership Quality Standard, reflecting their commitment to excellence in leadership.

Mark Sylvestre who has been awarded the ATA Council for School Leadership Distinguished Service Award. Recipients of this award are acknowledged by their peers for their outstanding contributions to the profession. This award serves to honour and celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of leaders within the educational community.

We are incredibly blessed to have such innovative and inspiring leaders within our Division. Their contributions not only enhance the quality of education but also embody the spirit and mission of our Catholic values. Their achievements are a source of pride for our entire community, and we are grateful for their tireless dedication to the growth and success of our students.

Addressing the Growing Needs of our Students: Capital Announcements & the Three-Year Capital Plan 2024-2027 

On March 1, 2024, the Alberta Government announced plans for priority school projects across the province. As part of Budget 2024, Edmonton Catholic Schools received full construction funding on the following projects:

• New K-9 School in Crystallina Nera East
• New K-9 School in Heritage Valley/Cavanagh 
• New K-9 School in Hays Ridge
• K-9 Rundle Heights Replacement School

The Division also received design funding for two projects, which will allow us to do all the necessary work to prepare for construction. The two projects are:

• New K-9 School in Laurel
• New K-9 School in River’s Edge

These six projects were priorities 1-6 on our Three-Year Capital Plan 2024-2027, which was approved in March 2023.

“This is a significant step forward in helping us serve the growing number of families who are choosing Edmonton Catholic Schools. We are pleased to see the province’s commitment to building new schools coming to fruition so quickly,” said Board Chair Sandra Palazzo.

Building on this progress, the Board of Trustees approved the 2025-2028 Capital Plan at its regularly scheduled Public Board Meeting on March 20, 2024. The three-year plan highlights the critical need for more teaching and learning areas to accommodate the rapidly growing student population and improve operational efficiency in older neighbourhoods. Over the past two years, Edmonton Catholic Schools’ enrolment has surged by 10%, with our current student count exceeding 48,000 students. 

The first year of the 2025-2028 Capital Plan calls for full funding of six new school buildings.

• New K-9 School in Riverview/River's Edge (Design Funding Approved in 2024)
• New K-9 School in The Meadows/West Laurel (Design Funding Approved in 2024)
• New High School (10-12) in Lewis Farms/Rosenthal
• New High School (10-12) in The Meadows/Silver Berry
• St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary/Junior High Replacement School 
• New K-9 Solution School for The Palisades/Oxford

Currently, 40% of our schools (37 of 92) are full or over capacity and we expect this number to climb next year.

In the last few years, our Division has implemented temporary measures to manage overcrowding, which have been disruptive and challenging to families. This necessitates urgent action to alleviate overcrowding and ensure optimal learning environments.

The Board of Trustees will continue advocating for approval and funding for these crucial projects, ensuring Edmonton Catholic Schools remains committed to providing an excellent Catholic education throughout the City of Edmonton, thereby laying the foundation for a brighter future for generations to come.

Reminder to School Councils: Enrol for ASCA Membership Fees

School Councils are reminded to enrol for the Alberta School Councils' Association (ASCA) membership for the upcoming year by visiting the ASCA website and completing the online "Request for Membership" form. The Division will cover the membership fee based on your request through this form, and your membership will become effective immediately upon completing the application. You can enrol at any time during the year. Please note that schools are no longer automatically enrolled, as was the case in previous years.

ASCA member school councils are entitled to:

• Vote on any agenda item at any General Meeting of the Association
• Vote for candidates for President, Vice-President, and Directors
• Have an eligible Parent School Council member stand for election to the Board of Directors
• Speak to any agenda item at General Meetings of the Association;
• Participate on Board committees as invited;
• Participate on the School Council Engagement Task Force;
• Pay reduced fees, if any, for attendance at ASCA events;
• Examine the books and records of the Association.

In addition, ASCA Member School Councils will continue to have access to resources and materials specifically designed to assist school councils in fulfilling their legislated responsibilities, increase parent engagement, and support and enhance student achievement on the ASCA Members Only portion of the ASCA website.

Community of School Councils

On March 6, the Board of Trustees hosted a Division-wide Community of School Councils (COSC) for our parents and guardians. The format and focus of this year’s COSC supports the advancement of the Division Plan for Continuous Growth 2023-2026 (Year 1) and specifically addresses the Priority of “Organizational Excellence” and Goal O2’s key strategy to “Create ongoing opportunities for dialogue between home and school to build awareness of and participation in student learning.” 

The evening’s 11 sessions aimed to create a dialogue between the home and school and to build awareness of and participation in student learning. The pre-registered discussions explored different facets of student educational experiences and opportunities, covering topics such as:

• Dual Credit Learning Opportunities
• What’s Next After High School
• How Can I Bring Jesus into My Family Life
• Parents as Partners

The event provided a wealth of inspiration and learning for everyone involved. 

Honouring our Division’s Student Faith Leaders at the Lumen Christi Student Faith Leadership Awards

The Edmonton Catholic Schools Board of Trustees held the second annual Lumen Christi Student Faith Leadership Award ceremony on April 10th and 11th, 2024. This event recognizes our students for their leadership in faith, service, and community and honours those who have made significant contributions to the Catholic identity within their schools. As a Catholic institution, we are called to nurture the spiritual growth of our students and foster a community where God's love shines through every action. The recipients of this award embrace this calling wholeheartedly, serving as beacons of light and love within our schools and inspiring others to live according to the principles of our faith, and their exemplary actions serve as a model for others to follow. Each school in our Division nominated one student who exemplified values of service and faith-driven leadership. In total, 92 students were honoured over the course of the two days. 

Trustees Honour Catholic Education Week at Witness Through Art Event

This year, during Catholic Education Week, Trustees were thrilled to join our partners in celebrating the invaluable gift of Catholic education by honouring students' achievements at the Witness Through Art event. Bishop David Motiuk Catholic Elementary/Junior High School represented our Division in an art project organized by the Archdiocese of Edmonton. Inspired by this year’s Catholic Education Week theme "Courage to Lead," students created stunning pieces that also paid homage to the Division's 135th anniversary. These blessed artworks now proudly adorn the Archdiocese's Assembly Hall. 

In Alberta, we deeply value publicly funded Catholic education. The Trustees of Edmonton Catholic Schools recognize the ongoing importance of advocating for this essential aspect of our educational system. Collaborating with other publicly funded Catholic boards and receiving support from the Bishops of Alberta, the Alberta Catholic School Trustees’ Association, and the Council for Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta, we actively promote and celebrate the value of Catholic education as a united community.

Congratulations, ECSD Graduates!

The Board of Trustees extends heartfelt congratulations to all the Edmonton Catholic Schools 2024 graduates! We join in your celebration of completing 12 years of dedication and hard work. It has been a privilege to attend numerous commencement and banquet ceremonies, personally congratulating graduates as they embark on their next chapter. As you pursue your future endeavours, may you find great fulfillment and a deep sense of accomplishment in your chosen path. May your future be rich with meaning, and may you always remember to live fully and serve God through others.

Congratulations and God bless, Grads of 2024!

Paying Tribute to our Staff at the Long Service Awards and Retirement Gala 

Each year, our Board is honoured to pay tribute to the contributions of our extraordinary staff at the Long Service Awards and the Board of Trustees Retirement Gala. These special occasions provide meaningful opportunities for Trustees to express our gratitude to those who have devoted significant years of service to our Division and to pay tribute to our colleagues as they begin a new and exciting journey in their retirement.

At the Long Service Ceremony, we celebrated staff members marking 10 to 40 years with Edmonton Catholic Schools. These individuals have demonstrated unwavering commitment, exceptional service, and a positive impact on our students. Their dedication is a cornerstone of our Division's success and is deeply appreciated by their school communities.

On May 16th, the Board of Trustees had the privilege of honouring 84 individuals who answered the call to serve at our annual Board of Trustees Retirement Gala. This event offers Trustees the chance to personally express our gratitude and congratulate those beginning their journey into retirement. The true strength of Edmonton Catholic Schools lies in its people, and we acknowledge the significant contributions each staff member has made to our Division's success. Our staff is at the heart of everything we do, and our students’ success is directly aligned with the talents and efforts of our ATA, AUPE, Unifor, and Out of Scope staff.  

Together, these events highlight the deep appreciation we hold for the unwavering dedication of our staff, celebrating their past achievements and wishing them well as they move forward into new adventures.

Celebrating Student Excellence: Celebration of the Arts and Chief Superintendent's Award

The Board of Trustees takes great pride in celebrating the remarkable achievements and successes of our students. Recently, Trustees had the pleasure of attending two wonderful events that showcase these accomplishments: the Celebration of the Arts and the Chief Superintendent's Award of Excellence. These events shine a spotlight on the diverse talents and exceptional accomplishments of our students, recognizing their creativity, hard work, and dedication. 

Celebration of the Arts highlights the vibrant artistic expressions within our school communities, while the Chief Superintendent's Award of Excellence honours outstanding dedication, leadership, and perseverance. Together, these events exemplify our commitment to fostering and celebrating student excellence in all its forms.

Trustees Tour Father Michael McCaffrey Catholic High School

Trustees were thrilled to get a sneak peek into ECSD’s newest school Father Michael McCaffery Catholic High School, scheduled to open its doors in September 2024. Principal Heather Kaup just received the keys to this state-of-the-art, three-story building that is poised to provide an exceptional learning environment for students in the community of Heritage Valley. 

Boasting two expansive gyms, two fully equipped foods labs, and two construction labs, the school is well-equipped to support both physical education and technical skills training. It also features dedicated spaces for drama and music, underscoring our commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression among students. With nine open study areas thoughtfully integrated throughout the building, the school provides ample opportunities for collaborative learning and independent study. 

We eagerly anticipate welcoming students to this dynamic new environment, where they can thrive academically, creatively, and socially. For more information visit fathermichaelmccaffery.ecsd.net. 

August 12, 2024 
First Day of Instruction - Year Round Schools 

September 2, 2024
Labour Day  

September 3, 2024 
First Day of Instruction - Traditional Calendar Schools 

September 25, 2024 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Public Board Meeting

September 30, 2024 
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

To see our upcoming Division events, visit ecsd.net/calendar.