The March 2009 budget announced by the provincial government introduced a new funding system for Prekindergarten to Grade 12 education.  The new system reduced the province’s reliance on education property taxes to fund education by:

• applying province-wide property tax rates on the three major classes of property; and
• increasing government funding for education by $241 million.

Before 2009: Individual boards of education set education property tax rates for the properties within their division boundaries.  Municipalities collected education property taxes on behalf of the boards of education then provided that portion of property taxes to the boards.

Now: Boards of education no longer set education property tax rates.  Under the new model, the provincial government sets province-wide tax rates for each of the three major classes of property – residential, agricultural, and commercial.  Municipalities continue to collect education property taxes.

The balance of board of education funding is provided through the provincial government’s General Revenue Fund.  The Ministry of Education, in consultation with education partners most impacted by the change, is developing and implementing a new education funding distribution model that is expected to be in place during the 2012-13 fiscal year.  Until then:

• Board of education grant payments will be based on the government-approved, total division budget less the education property tax revenue of the division.
• Funding provided by the provincial government will be based on board of education financial information.  School divisions will know budget day in March 2011, the amount of funding they will have to work with for their upcoming fiscal year starting in September 2011.

Throughout this transition period, the ministry has a continued commitment to invest in education.  For the past seveal years, the education sector has received increased funding:

• In 2010-11 an increase of 2.1% over the previous year
• In 2009-10 an increase of 5.9% over the previous year
• In 2008-09 an increase of 6.7% over the previous year

Boards of education continue to be elected by their communities and decide how they will allocate their budget in support of their Continuous Improvement Plan for a strong, relevant, and responsive education system that ensures the best teaching, learning, and achievement results for Saskatchewan students.

Boards of education continue to deliver programs and services, hire and evaluate teachers and principals, measure and report results, and work with parents and community members to ensure the best results for students.

Update Newsletters

These publications are produced by the Ministry of Education to inform school divisions and education stakeholders as we move forward on changes to how education is funded in Saskatchewan.

• December 2010 Update
• November 2010 Update
• June 2010 Update
• March 2010 Update
• July 2009 Update

Coming Soon – New Education Property Tax Forms

Looking for the new Education Property Tax Forms?  They are currently being finalized and will be available here soon.  Please check back!

For more information contact:

Education property tax inquiries: 1-866-984-8577
Board of education inquiries: 306-787-4959