May. 13, 2020
Dear CBE Parents & Guardians,
We are so grateful that you and your child/ren are part of our CBE family. Public education is incredibly important to our society, especially in these challenging times. COVID-19 has tested the resilience in all of us. We are very proud of how our entire community has come together to support students and their learning. We know that you are doing your best and we thank you for partnering with us.
As we plan for the 2020-21 school year, we are looking forward to welcoming 3,000 more students and opening three new schools. We are also working to adjust to the new funding framework implemented by the government. Aligning programs, services and supports to this framework will mean changes for our students, staff and families.
In the coming days, you will learn more about the CBE 2020-21 budget. As a start, please watch this video message (transcript below) from Board Chair, Marilyn Dennis. More information about our budget reality is available on our trustee advocacy webpage.
You can also visit www.cbe.ab.ca/budget to learn more and to provide your feedback. The CBE's budget report will be available on May 15 through the Board's Agenda & Reports. The budget will be discussed at the public Board meeting on May 19, 2020. You can view the meeting through our live stream starting at 12 p.m.
Transcript of the video message by Marilyn Dennis, Chair, Board of Trustees
Public education matters
Public education is more important now than ever. It is where every child, regardless of their background, ability or financial status, is supported in achieving their full potential. Public education is the key to a resilient and diversified economy and society. We can all be proud that the CBE is one of the best public education systems in the world.
Planning in a time of uncertainty
Thank you to our families and the greater community for supporting students and their learning during this challenging time. We recognize that at home learning is working well for some, but that it has been a challenge for others. We know that you have many questions around when in-person classes will resume, and what that will look like. We continue to work with the province around these details and look forward to welcoming students back in our schools, as soon as it is safe to do so. And at the same time, we are doing our best to plan our budget for next year.
We need to think differently
Our province is going through some challenging fiscal times. As this has an impact on each of our households, it also has an impact on the CBE. The funding the CBE will receive to support our growing system will need to stretch further. We will need to find new ways of delivering programs and services. Adjusting to this reality requires that we think differently about how we support student learning and wellbeing. We must adjust and there will be change. We know that change can be difficult. It is through our collective commitment that we will get through these challenges together.
Our commitment to you
As we make decisions, we want to assure you that students will continue to come first. We will prioritize resources directly to the classroom. Every decision that we make will consider the learning and wellbeing of students. No matter what changes may come, we want to assure you that we will continue to do our best to offer high-quality education services to meet the diverse needs of students.
For more information
As your Board of Trustees, we are committed to providing you the most up to date information available and we value your feedback. Please visit cbe.ab.ca/budget where you will find links to relevant documents and a place where you can provide your feedback regarding budget 2020-21.
Thank you and be well.
