91̽»¨app

Many comments express the need for more teachers and support staff to address overcrowded schools and unfilled vacancies. 

There is appreciation for the increase in classroom supports and acknowledgement of higher student needs. 

The draft budget includes an increase of 50.12 full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers and 29.81 FTE support staff to maintain reasonable class sizes and student to staff ratios. The number of students experiencing challenges that require additional staff supports has increased from 1,425 in 2020 and 3,100 as of March 12, 2025. The draft budget also supports efforts to reinforce trauma-responsive practices, create a flexible, short-term learning and therapeutic space, and enhance supports for multilingual learners in middle years. 

These investments are considered essential to support staff wellness. Beyond the staffing increases that maintain a reasonable class size and support staff, the draft budget does propose a specific and modest investment of $106,500 to build leadership capacity to support workplace wellness. 

Several comments highlight concerns about the high property tax increases and the need for conservative spending given the economic landscape. 

There are questions about where costs can be cut and how the budget addresses a possible economic downturn and recession. 

The Board and Senior Leadership Team have proposed a balanced budget. 

91̽»¨app is proposing a 6.43 per cent mill rate increase to property owners living in the Division. This mill rate increase reflects an average annual increase of $193 for the property owner. 1.22 per cent of this increase will cover the one-time expense of purchasing learning materials, furniture, and equipment for a new French immersion elementary school serving students living in Sage Creek and Bonavista. 4.39 per cent is allocated to address the increased staffing costs due to enrolment increases and student needs. The final 0.82 per cent will cover increases in our annual operating costs to address inflationary pressures. 

The mill rate for the 91̽»¨app for 2025 will be set at 13.313. While this is an increase from the prior year of 12.517, or 6.43%, it is still below the mill rate of 13.681 that was levied by the Division in 2019.  

Comments mention the need for renovations beyond air conditioning, such as addressing overcrowded high schools and improving accessibility. 

There is criticism of spending on board office renovations instead of school-level investments.

Capital improvements to school buildings are approved and financed by the Manitoba Government. When addressing overcrowding high schools and improving accessibility, the Division provides the Manitoba government with an annual request for capital improvements for consideration. 

Proposed board office renovations, as reported by the media, are not reflected in the 2025-2026 budget. Proposed renovations, and any associated costs, are not planned to occur in the next school year.   

It is important to note our staff deserve safe and functional workplaces. The Norberry and Monterey offices are no exception. The Norberry School office is 104 years old and requires essential repairs, including windows, roofing, foundation, and HVAC systems. The Manitoba government does not cover the costs for these renovations.   

Many comments emphasize the importance of focusing on core subjects like math, sciences, and literacy.

There are concerns about the lack of academic rigor and inconsistent evaluation systems.

91̽»¨app is committed to maintaining high academic standards and being transparent with our efforts. To provide transparency, we have established a Data Hub. This platform allows parents, students, and the community to access information about students' academic performance.

The swimming pilot program is a contentious issue, with some supporting it and others questioning its priority over other academic and infrastructure needs.

By running the swimming program as a pilot, we can evaluate a universal program’s viability and sustainability before making a long-term commitment.  

Comments highlight the need for maintaining a commitment to equity within the budget and addressing the needs of diverse racialized and cultural backgrounds.  

There is also a call for better technology and support for students from low-income families.

Equity is one of 91̽»¨app's core values and priorities. We are dedicated to creating inclusive environments where everyone is valued, supported, and has agency. 

91̽»¨app is grateful for the Manitoba government’s Universal Nutrition Program to support and enhance 91̽»¨app’s strategic action 4.4.   

Equity is a focus when staffing our schools. Maintaining optimal student-to-staff ratios is essential for providing personalized attention and support to each student. The draft budget ensures our schools are equitably and adequately staffed. 

The draft budget continues to prioritize equity relative to the ongoing information and communication technology investments to ensure all students have access to the tools they need to succeed.   

Some comments suggest French Immersion should be dual track like other metro divisions. 

The Manitoba government released the in 2023. In the policy, it suggests that the single-track model of French immersion programming offers greater opportunity for a linguistically rich experience for students. It then recommends that where viable, the single-track model be considered from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in all school divisions in the province. 

The retention rate of French immersion (FI) students in 91̽»¨app is a key indicator of program success, with strong year-over-year rates and challenges primarily during the Grade 8 to 9 transition. Retention within grade spans remains high, with over 92 per cent of students continuing in FI from Grade 9 to 12. While 91̽»¨app’s FI retention is considered the highest in Manitoba, comparable date from other divisions is unavailable. 91̽»¨app FI high school students take all courses in French, with the exception of English Language Arts; this stands in sharp contrast to the experience of students in most other school divisions where students must take numerous courses, particularly option courses, in English. 

Some comments suggest that the ThoughtExchange is not a robust way to solicit public opinion and call for better methods of community engagement.

There is a desire for ongoing feedback from the community about systemic issues within the school division.

In addition to ThoughtExchange, we provide various opportunities and forums for community engagement including information meetings, parent groups in schools, school board meetings, and trustee elections. For more information on how to engage with your school board, see this . The community is always welcome to send emails to info@lrsd.net. 

We are committed to continuously improving our methods of community engagement. Your feedback helps us refine our approaches and ensure all voices are heard.