INNISFAIL - Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) worked with the YMCA this past school year to support students who were temporarily suspended from school
Before the end of the 2023-24 school year, superintendent Kathleen Finnigan outlined the Alternative Suspension Program.
“This program provides opportunities for students to work on curricular outcomes when they are away from the classroom and participate in group workshops based on the reasons for the referral,” said Finnigan.
“They are also prepared for integration by the team at the YMCA and that team member will even attend the reintegration meeting back at the school.”
The cooperative effort saw good success in the 2023-24 school year, she said.
“The feedback from school administration has been very positive and we have even asked if this program is suitable for their child when a suspension occurs as parents are hearing good things about the program,” she said.
In response to the results so far, the division plans to extend its participation for the next two years, she said.
To date, 30 students have been referred to the program. The reasons for suspension of the participating students are disruptive behaviour (3), vandalism (2), theft (4), verbal abuse (5), physical violence (4), bullying (4), absenteeism (2), apathy/lack of motivation (1), and substance abuse (5).
Budget deficit
Meanwhile, Finnigan also provided a budget update for trustees.
“The division continues to experience an increase in average costs for staff benefits and additional costs for services, contracts and supplies and this has put significant pressure on the budget when there is no offsetting increase to base funding,” she said.
The division is projecting a deficit of $4.2 million for the 2023-24 school year and “will be below the total required minimum operating reserves,” she said.
“The division will have to make significant adjustments to its spending to balance the budget and restore both operating and capital reserves to acceptable levels.”
The Red Deer-headquartered RDCRS includes schools in Innifail and Olds.
