The Prairie South School Division (PSSD) has passed its 2022-2023 annual budget and it saw a $4 million deficit.  

The budget was voted on and passed on Tuesday with a strongly supported vote from the trustees with 10-0 votes in favour of the budget. 

The overall cost increase in this year’s budget is $55 million dollars but that was still $4 million dollars less than what they needed.  

The PSSD has been fortunate enough over the past years to put together a reserve fund which is where the remaining money will be coming from.  

The PSSD said in a release that the main highlights of the budget were classroom size and support, Enhancing opportunities for students,  and infrastructure maintenance.  

Here’s the breakdown PSSD gave Discover Moose Jaw:  

- Carbon Tax: 25% increase. With the most recent increase, the carbon tax will be roughly 75% of our contracted price for natural gas.  
- Crowns: we hear Crowns are asking for rate increase in the 4%+ range which would be on top of carbon tax. 
- Heating Costs: increase of $85,000. - Fuel: 70% increase year over year – about a $300,000 increase this budget year and potentially another $400,000 next budget year if prices continue at these rates. 
- School Buses: 27% increase in cost this year vs. last year which is about $300,000. 
- Clean Fuel Standard: this starts in January 2023 and will be added to fuel, electricity, and heat. 
- Insurance: 20% increase in each of the last two years. The Federal Budget included a special tax on insurance companies which will drive rates up further. 
- Staffing Costs Escalation: Approximately 2.5 million dollars. 
- CPP and EI: approximately $350,000 additional staffing increase due to rate and limit increases.
- Technology: 11% increase over two years but varies by product. 
- Freight: will become challenging for our rural schools as fuel surcharges increase.
- CommunityNet: $78,000 increase.