The party was on at École Monseigneur Blaise Morand Tuesday as the school hosted a graduation ceremony for its kindergarten students.
In addition to parents in attendance were Light of Christ administrative staff, Director of Education Cory Rideout and board members.
Minister of Education and Deputy Premier Gord Wyant was also in attendance, along with Battlefords MLA Herb Cox.
Wyant gave a short speech, saying it was his first time at a kindergarten graduation, and congratulated students and parents.
Students sang “Nous sommes tous comme des fleurs,” (we are all like flowers) and received certificates. Stations were at tables around the gym featuring activities.
Wyant was in North Battleford touring Light of Christ schools, including Holy Family Elementary School, Notre Dame Elementary School and St. Mary School, where he was also scheduled to attend a kindergarten graduation. The minister recently visited with Living Sky leadership, along with other school divisions in the province.
After Scott Moe was elected premier by Saskatchewan Party members in January, Wyant, who also ran for the premiership, became minister of education and deputy premier.
The 2018-19 provincial budget saw an increase of $30 million toward education. 2017-18 featured a $54 million decrease in education funding, which was challenging for a number of the province’s school boards.
Representatives from Light of Christ and Living Sky School Divisions expressed thankfulness regarding the provincial funding increase in 2018-19. This upcoming school year, the funding affects the two school divisions differently.
A significant portion of school division budgets is based on student enrolment. Due to projected student enrolment, Light of Christ’s funding increased approximately $70,000 this school year, while Living Sky’s decreased by $653,000. Living Sky projected approximately 100 less students versus last year. As a result of the changes, Living Sky took measures such as reducing use of substitutes.
Funding adjustments occur later in the year, and actual student enrolments could cause funding to increase or decrease.
Education critic, NDP MLA Carla Beck, has argued a $30 million increase in 2018-19 isn’t enough to make up for previous decreases.
Wyant was elected trustee for the Saskatoon Public School Board in 2000 and was chair for two years.
