Advocating for Catholic Education Ahead of the Provincial Budget
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by Lory Iovinelli, Chair, CCSD Board of Trustees
A core responsibility of the Board of Trustees is to advocate on behalf of the more than 64,000 students we are proud to serve across the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD). As Alberta’s largest Catholic school district, serving families across urban and rural communities, we are uniquely positioned to share both the successes of Catholic education and the challenges facing our schools. Each year, the Alberta provincial budget, usually released in late February, establishes the financial framework for public education. With MLAs not sitting in the Legislature during the months of December to early February, there is a strategic opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue ahead of the Throne Speech and the release of the Budget Business Plan.
To that end, the CCSD Board of Trustees committed to meeting with all Calgary, Airdrie, Chestermere, and Cochrane MLAs to share our advocacy priorities for the year ahead. These conversations are focused on ensuring that provincial decision-making reflects the lived realities of our schools and supports the long-term sustainability of publicly funded Catholic education. Our advocacy is centered on three key priorities: funding, infrastructure, and complexity.
Funding remains foundational. Alberta continues to have one of the lowest per-student operational funding models in Canada, and funding has not kept pace with rising costs and increasing student needs. We continue to advocate for adequate and sustainable funding, including dedicated playground funding. In particular, specialized sensory playground equipment is essential in congregated settings to ensure that all students have access to safe, inclusive play spaces that support well-being and development. Infrastructure is another critical priority. CCSD has experienced significant enrolment growth, with many schools already at or near capacity. The Board is advocating to ensure that the seven newly approved school projects remain on track, with shovels in the ground and doors opening as soon as possible. We are deeply grateful for these long-overdue new builds and recognize that timely delivery is essential to meeting the needs of growing communities.
Finally, we continue to advocate for recognition of the increasing complexity within today’s classrooms. Approximately one in three CCSD students requires additional supports to succeed. Addressing complexity through adequate, targeted funding is essential to supporting student success and well-being. Learn more on our website: cssd.ab.ca/advocacy.
Jesus reminds us, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Catholic social teaching allows us to measure our society by how we care for our most vulnerable. This call reminds us that caring for children—academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually—is not optional. Our advocacy for funding, infrastructure, and support is rooted in the inherent dignity of every child entrusted to our care and our shared responsibility to ensure they are known, supported, and able to flourish. We are grateful for the continued partnership of government, families, and parish communities as we continue to work at Creating Calgary Catholic Together.
