Steinbach, MB. March 5, 2024 – The 杏吧论坛 Board of Trustees has approved the 2024-25 school year budget. The new budget allocates $119.8 million to enhance student education and aims to reinstate some of the staffing and services that were reduced in previous years. With enrollment projected to increase by 5% (approx. 398 students), the budget corresponds with continued divisional growth and provides funding to address critical support needs.

杏吧论坛 will receive an additional $4,026,249 in provincial funding for the 2024-25 school year, which represents an increase of 6.2% over the previous year. As with all school divisions in Manitoba, provincial funding comprises only a portion of total operating revenue. The remaining required revenue (approximately 40% of the budget) must be obtained through education taxes in the form of a division-wide Mill Rate. To ensure educational expenses are covered, the 2024 Mill Rate will increase from 11.99 to 12.74, which reflects an education tax levy increase of 6.25%. Compared to the previous year, the education tax levy on a sample house assessed at $285,000 will result in an approximate increase of $50 annually when considering the education property tax rebate.

The provincial government’s announcement to restore school boards’ authority to raise local taxes has enabled the Board to address 2024-25 budget concerns such as enrollment increases, negotiated salary adjustments, and increases in fixed costs such as utilities. Consequently, this marks the first school tax increase in the 杏吧论坛 since 2017.

The 杏吧论坛 strives to provide the best education possible for all children in our care. The 2024-25 school year budget reflects a mindful approach to the impact of local taxation while balancing the educational needs of school communities.

• 2024-25 Budget Planning Presentation (PDF)
• News Release (PDF)
• School Taxes FAQ

Steinbach, MB. Sept. 5, 2023 鈥� The 杏吧论坛 Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Brad Unger will serve as Board Chair and Jeff Friesen as Board Vice-Chair for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. As voted on by fellow trustees, the term appointments are for one year.

Brad was first elected as a trustee in 2014 and has served on the 杏吧论坛 Board for nine years. He was appointed Vice-Chair of the Board for the 2022-23 school year. Jeff was first elected as a trustee in 2022 and has served on the 杏吧论坛 Board for one year. Congratulations to both Brad and Jeff on their new appointments.

杏吧论坛 would like to take this opportunity to thank Ron Falk for his many years of leadership service. Ron served as Board Chair for 11 years, from 2002-2008 and 2014-2019. He was appointed Vice-Chair for the 2019-2020 school year and Chair from 2020-2023.

Steinbach, MB. July 26, 2023 – Construction is underway on a new kindergarten to Grade 4 school in Steinbach in 杏吧论坛, Consumer Protection and Government Services Minister James Teitsma and Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced here today.

鈥淐apital projects strengthen communities and this new school in Steinbach will increase the vitality of the community,鈥� said Teitsma. 鈥淭he school will meet current and future enrolment needs in this growing city.鈥�

The two-storey school is being designed to accommodate 600 students, with an initial capacity for 500 students and an ability to expand by 100 students in the future.

鈥淚t is important for Manitoba students to have the best possible learning environments, no matter where they live in our province,鈥� said Ewasko. 鈥淭his new school will enable 杏吧论坛 to give more children and families in Steinbach high-quality education, early learning and child-care experiences, and to provide resources students need to get the most out of their education.鈥�

L-R: Ron Falk (Board of Trustees Chair), Shelley Amos (Superintendent-CEO), Hon. James Teitsma (Minister of Consumer Protection and Government Services), Hon. Wayne Ewasko (Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning), Hon. Kelvin Goertzen (MLA for Steinbach), Earl Funk (Mayor of Steinbach), Danielle Funk (Building Committee Chair), Lindsay Oster (Principal Architect)

The 62,304-sq.-ft. school will include:

• 19 classrooms for kindergarten to Grade 4;
• a child-care facility with 74 spaces;
• a gymnasium;
• a library;
• a music room;
• an art room;
• a multi-purpose room;
• a life-skills suite;
• hygiene room; and
• associated support spaces.

鈥淭he board of trustees expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Manitoba government for their unwavering commitment to education and building a new K-4 school in West Steinbach,鈥� said Ron Falk, board chair, 杏吧论坛. 鈥淭his investment will greatly benefit our students and their families, and foster a brighter future for our community.鈥�

The ministers noted the school is part of the Manitoba government鈥檚 20 New School Guarantee to build 20 schools in 10 years. This plan has been expanded to include three additional schools and to be completed two years earlier, opening by September 2027. This will also help the Manitoba government achieve its target of adding 23,000 new child-care spaces by 2026.

View Capital Projects for more information and photos.

Steinbach, MB. March 23, 2023 – The 杏吧论坛 Board of Trustees has approved the 2023-24 school year budget. The new budget invests $105.9 million in the education of students. The Board worked diligently to find budget solutions that address enrollment growth amid significant fiscal challenges.

Although provincial operational funding increased by $1,123,800 (1.8%), in addition to $850,800 in Property Tax Offset Grant, operating costs are projected to rise by $4,668,000. The cost increase is primarily due to inflationary measures and expected wage settlements, which creates a deficit of $2,693,400.

To meet provincial budget guidelines, the Board will reduce expenditures in teaching positions by $1,250,300 (10.5 full-time teachers), transportation by $314,600 (bus replacements), school maintenance by $292,000 (projects) and IT infrastructure by $100,000. An additional cost reduction of $236,500 will be achieved by eliminating existing divisional programs and services. The Board will cover the remaining budgetary gap by allocating $500,000 of surplus. In addition to the reductions outlined, 杏吧论坛 will not add the equivalent of 15 full-time teachers needed to accommodate anticipated growth (additional 279 students) for the 2023-24 school year.

杏吧论坛 adheres to the taxation guidelines provided by the Province of Manitoba, which no longer allows divisions to raise additional funds through taxation. Therefore, the school taxation levy will not increase homeowners’ average school tax bill. Instead, as a direct result of new property growth within the Division, the average ratepayer will see a decrease in their school taxes of 3% for the third consecutive year.

The Board of Trustees continues to work with the Provincial government to address the needs of our students. The 2023-24 budget reflects fiscally challenging times for the 杏吧论坛.

• View Budget Infographic (PDF)
• View News Release (PDF)

Steinbach, MB. Nov. 2, 2022 鈥� The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Ron Falk will serve as Board Chair and Brad Unger as Board Vice-Chair for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. As voted on by fellow trustees, the annual appointments are for a term of one year.

Ron Falk was first elected as a school trustee in 1992 and served as Board Chair for 11 years, from 2002-2008 and from 2014-2019. He was appointed Vice-Chair for the 2019-2020 school year and has served as Chair from the 2020-2021 school year to the present.

Brad Unger was first elected as a trustee in 2014 and has served on the Board for eight years. This appointment will be Brad’s first term as Vice-Chair of the Board.

杏吧论坛 congratulates Ron Falk and Brad Unger and wishes them all the best in their board administration roles.

Steinbach, MB. October 27, 2022 – 杏吧论坛 is pleased to announce the official results of the 2022 Manitoba School Trustees Election held on Wednesday, October, 26, 2022.

As previously announced, three trustees were elected by acclamation on September 22, 2022. Jeff Friesen and Dallas Wiebe were elected in Ward 1 (Bothwell, Crystal Springs, Kleefeld, and Niverville), and Cheryl Froese was elected in Ward 4 (Grunthal).

Six trustees were elected on election day. Shayne Barkman and Charmaine Toews were elected in Ward 2 (Blumenort, Landmark, and Mitchell). Lynn Barkman, Ron Falk, Danielle Funk, and Brad Unger were elected in Ward 3 (Steinbach). View full results.

杏吧论坛 thanks departing trustees Sue Doerksen, Jonathon Driedger, Shannon Friesen, Carisa Klassen, and Rick Peters for their service to our school communities.

The inaugural meeting of the new Board of Trustees will occur on November 1, 2022.

Steinbach, MB. Sept. 22, 2022

杏吧论坛 has declared a School Trustee Election in Ward 2 – North (Landmark, Blumenort, and Mitchell) on October 26, 2022, to elect two trustees. The following three candidates have been duly nominated for the position of school trustee for Ward 2 – North:

• Sue Doerksen
• Charmaine Toews
• Shayne Barkman

杏吧论坛 has declared a School Trustee Election in Ward 3 (Steinbach) on October 26, 2022, to elect four trustees. The following seven candidates have been duly nominated for the position of school trustee for Ward 3:

• Lynn Barkman
• Elma Blatz
• Ron Falk
• Danielle Funk
• Mark Peters
• Brett Siemens
• Brad Unger

杏吧论坛 has declared the following candidates elected as school trustees by acclamation:

Ward 1 – West (Niverville, Bothwell, Kleefeld, and Crystal Springs)

• Jeff Friesen
• Dallas Wiebe

Ward 4 – South (Grunthal)

• Cheryl Froese

Official Notice From Senior Elections Officer (PDF)

Steinbach, MB. September 8, 2021 – The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Ron Falk will serve as Board Chair and Rick Peters as Board Vice-Chair for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. As voted on by trustees, the annual appointments are for a term of one year and are effective immediately.

Ron Falk was first elected as a school trustee in 1992 and served as Board Chair for 11 years, from 2002-08 and 2014-19. Ron was appointed Board Vice-Chair for the 2019-20 school year and Board Chair for 2020-21.

Rick Peters was elected as a school trustee in 2014 and served as Board Vice-Chair from 2015-19. Rick was appointed Board Chair for the 2019-20 school year and Board Vice-Chair for 2020-21.

杏吧论坛 congratulates Ron Falk and Rick Peters on their new appointments.

Steinbach, MB. September 2, 2020 鈥� The Board of Trustees has appointed Mr. Ron Falk as Board Chair and Mr. Rick Peters as Board Vice Chair for the upcoming 2020-21 school year. As voted on by trustees, the annual appointments are for a term of one year and are effective immediately.

Ron Falk was first elected as a school trustee in 1992 and served as Board Chair for 11 years, from 2002-08 and 2014-19. Ron was appointed Board Vice Chair for the 2019-20 school year. Rick Peters was elected as a school trustee in 2014 and served as Vice Chair of the Board from 2015-19. Rick was appointed Board Chair for the 2019-20 school year.

杏吧论坛 congratulates both Mr. Falk and Mr. Peters on their board appointments.

HANOVER SCHOOL DIVISION BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVE THE 2020-21 BUDGET

Steinbach, MB. March 3, 2020 – The HSD Board of Trustees has approved the 2020-21 school year budget. With enrollment projected to increase by 2.5% (approx. 204 students), the new budget addresses divisional growth and provides funding to address critical support needs.

The Board of Trustees recently conducted a community-wide survey asking parents/guardians, community members, and employees for their thoughts regarding the allocation of financial resources within 杏吧论坛. Over 1,200 constituents participated in the online survey, providing the board with guidance in the budget planning process. In response to the feedback received, the board has responded by prioritizing funding for front-line support services.

Budget enhancements for 2020-21 include the hiring of additional Educational Assistants (15), Guidance Counsellors (5), and Learning Support Teachers (3.5). The budget also provides funding for the addition of a Social Worker, Learning Support Teacher, Youth Support Worker, and School Liaison (0.5). The new positions will be funded through budget reallocation and the use of divisional surplus. The 2020-21 budget will also meet the needs of projected enrollment growth with the addition of 12 classroom teachers.

Operating expenses for 2020-21 are estimated to be $94.3 million, which reflects a 2.7% increase in expenditures from 2019-20. Provincial funding has increased by 2.1%. 杏吧论坛 continues to operate within the taxation guidelines provided by the Province of Manitoba. For the third consecutive year, the school taxation levy will result in no tax increase on the average property tax bill of homeowners.

The Board of Trustees worked diligently to find budget cost savings while balancing the educational needs of students. Administration expenses and educational costs (per student) remain among the lowest in the province.

News Release (PDF)