Overview

One of the strategic goals of the organization states that Saskatoon Public Schools will be principled, innovative, collaborative, accountable and effective. The Finance Department strives to ensure this goal is maintained throughout our organization through prudent fiscal management of a budget approximately $200 million. While the structure of education finance in Saskatchewan is a complex process, the basics are quite simple.Basically, there are 2 main aspects of school Division budgets: 1) the annual operating budget and, 2) the capital budget.

The 2009-10 Provincial Budget resulted in significant changes to the school divisions in the province of Saskatchewan. Prior to 2009, the boards of the school divisions would set the mill rates that would be levied by the local municipalities and submitted to the school divisions. In 2009, the province of Saskatchewan started to set the education mill rates that were levied by the municipalities and remitted to the local school divisions. The municipalities still collect the education property taxes on behalf of the boards of education then provide that portion of the property taxes to the boards.

The budgeting process for the Board of Education for Saskatoon Public Schools can be split into several steps: Senior administration submits budget requirements to the Chief Financial Officer that would maintain the current level of programming; Salary costs are calculated based on the current staffing levels or requirements as determined by enrolment increases or decreases; Provincial grant and property tax revenue estimates are provided to the school divisions in late March by the Ministry of Education; Other revenues are estimated based on past experience and any future anticipated changes.

The Board of Trustees has input at several stages of the budgeting process. The annual budget is presented during several Board meetings beginning in March of the year of the budget. During all stages of the budgetary process, administration requests input from the Board and the Board is responsible for approving the annual capital and operating budgets and any new strategic initiatives.

Budget Reports

The audited financial statements are very important measures of our fiscal and administrative effectiveness and efficience. Below are links to audited financial statements separated into two parts:

Revenue and Expense Report

Assets and Liabilities Report