WHEREAS the existing funding formulas for Alberta schools does not take into account the smaller population in rural areas and in rural schools; AND WHEREAS the aforementioned funding deficiency is causing rural schools to face closure or potential closure in the near future; AND WHEREAS the closure of rural schools will leave rural children at a large disadvantage when it comes to education; AND WHEREAS the Province of Alberta has the means to rectify this problem before it worsens; AND WHEREAS the Province of Alberta has committed to a new rural development strategy, ‘A Place to Grow’, which recognizes learning as one of the four pillars of rural communities and commits the Province of Alberta to provide access to the best possible education, and expanding local opportunities for people in rural Alberta to get the skills they need to compete and succeed in the marketplace;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Provincial Government to ensure that all children in Alberta are treated equally in regards to the availability of education; AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Government of Alberta to change relevant school funding formulas, policies and regulations to ensure the continued operation of Alberta’s Rural Schools.

Many rural schools are under the threat of closure which will result in many rural school children facing long bus rides to and from class. If rural schools in our province continue to close, it sends the message that priority is given to children who live in cities or larger centres. Families living in smaller municipalities are not given equal opportunity to education.

The renewed Funding Framework provides a means to allocate funding to school jurisdictions to provide a quality education that reflects the needs of students and society. Its the governments position that the renewed Funding Framework distributes available resources in a fair and equitable manner by recognizing factors beyond the control of school jurisdictions that influence relative costs among school jurisdictions. These include declining enrolments, operating in remote, sparsely populated areas and transporting students over long distances.