WATCH ABOVE: As Carolyn Kury de Castillo reports, some political analysts are saying the budget will play a factor in how people vote when it comes to education.
CALGARY – An unusual move this weekend, from Calgary Catholic Trustees.
Sunday, Catholic churches across the city distributed a letter outlining their worries about how the provincial budget will affect Calgary students at the request of the Trustees.
Reports suggest that some political analysts are saying the budget will play a factor in how people vote when it comes to education.
People attending church this weekend in Calgary went home with more than just a parish bulletin.
Inside, a letter from Calgary Catholic Trustees, which states they are deeply concerned about the significant negative effects the budget will have on students.
“During an election it’s about getting the message out to citizens so a letter like this while controversial, it’s just trying to get the information out to parents and even people in the community to know what’s going on in the schools,” Roger Doucet said.
The March provincial budget increased overall funding for kindergarten to grade 12 by two percent.
But schools will have to take on an extra 12 thousand students next year and that growth is not accounted for in the budget.
The letter states student success is at risk, with increased class sizes and reductions to support services.
“I think especially education, the budget is problematic and is motivating them.”
Political analysts say a letter like this puts a human face on budget numbers, that might otherwise be overlooked.
“Unfunded pressures doesn’t mean very much until you get a letter saying this program that your kid uses at the school, we won’t be able to keep that open because of this budget,” Melanee Thomas, a U of C political scientist said.
Some parishioners agree with the trustee letter worrying that the most vulnerable students will be hardest hit.
“Society in the end may end up spending more in the long run at the back end if we don’t find properly the education system and the needs of the teachers and the children,” Angeline Carnduff said.
Some say the budget will influence the way they vote.
“And no new teachers being hired either so we do need the funding and I think that health and education are the two most important things in Alberta,” Boyd Curley said.
Others maintain their incumbent has served them well.
“I am probably a status quo kind of guy going with the candidate that i went with last time.who is in our constituency. He’s been a good representative for us so I think maybe that is the way people are going to go,” Harvey Nelson said.
Education minister Gordon Dirks has responded to school boards concerns, saying boards should tap into their reserve funds.
The province has said school boards will not be allowed to cut teachers or their pay.
The school boards have said dipping into their reserves for operational needs is not a long term solution, adding that once those funds are gone there won’t be money for future emergencies.
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