Sask. expecting ‘influx of applications’ after getting $75M from Ottawa for school reopening

Saskatchewan schools are getting a funding boost after the federal government committed $74.9 million of the $2 billion it pledged to provinces and territories for the safe reopening of schools.

The first $1 billion is being distributed in the fall, with the remaining $1 billion being distributed in January.

The province is adding the nearly $75 million to the $40 million in funding it announced nearly two weeks ago.

Funding is available immediately, but the deadline for applications from individual school divisions is Thursday afternoon.

“As we work with our sector partners to ensure a safe return to school, we know that there will be increased costs associated with staffing, preparation and supplies,” Education Minister Gord Wyant said at the Saskatchewan Party’s Saskatoon cabinet office on Wednesday.

“There is now up to $150 million available to our education sector for costs associated with a safe return to school.”

Only two of the province’s 27 school divisions have applied for additional funding, according to Wyant. He said there will be a deadline for another round of applications in October and then on a quarterly basis after that.

Wyant said the reason for the early deadline is to ensure schools can be as ready as possible for the first day of classes.

“We’re very much expecting an influx of applications,” Wyant said. “We know that a number of divisions were looking to make sure that they had their applications in.”

Wyant didn’t say what specific criteria there are to receive funding or how much money will be given out, but supplies and staffing, immunocompromised students and online learning are the highest priorities.

Wyant said he is not looking to deny funding, but wants to ensure applications are thorough and prioritizing a safe reopening.

School divisions across the province had until Wednesday to release a return-to-school plan. Wyant said he’s satisfied with each division’s plan and feels that Saskatchewan’s return-to-school guidelines are among the best in the country.

“There has been a dedicated effort to make sure that we have a good back-to-school plan,” he said. “I think this is the best back-to-school plan in the country.”

A condition of the federal funding is to report on how the money is being spent. Reports are due in December before additional money is distributed.

Saskatchewan NDP Education Critic Carla Beck is hoping the province reduces class sizes with the available funding.

“Our classrooms are too crowded now because they were too crowded before,” Beck said in a news release. “School divisions still aren’t sure what, if any, additional funding they will receive, or if the government will in fact claw back funding at the end of September if enrolment declines due to COVID-19. We can’t be satisfied with the status quo.”

Wyant said reducing class sizes is a possibility, but the priority remains with schools having the necessary resources on the first day of classes.

Wyant also provided an update on mask shipments. The first batch of the six million masks has been sent to school divisions along with face shields. The second shipment of masks will be delivered during the first week of school.

Parents across the province will also be sent education-related COVID-19 testing protocols, notification and reporting on Thursday.