b'ManitobaUpdate2023-2024 Annual Report to the CSBA Board of Directors Funding of Schools and Provincial Budget AnnouncementsOn February 1, 2024, the yearly funding of schools announcement was made by the Manitoba Government. Overall, 2024/25 funding sees an increase of 3.4% ($104.2 million in total) that includes: $51.5 million in operating costs for public schools;$3 million toward smaller class sizes;$30 million for nutrition programming;$11.3 million for capital support, which includes principal and interest costs related to building schools; and$10.9 million to independent schools as per their funding agreement.While appreciated, the reality of how these funds are distributed across each school board in Manitoba reflects considerable variation community by community. For several smaller school boards (13 of 37), funding increases range from 1.7 to 2.7% and include the nutrition grants, thereby reducing discretionary allocation for relief of inflationary pressures. However, Manitoba has continued to retain levy authority on properties in support of education and this year, the provincial Government removed prior 2% increase limits on school board discretion to use this authority to address additional inflationary pressures a welcome development given ongoing fiscal constraints. On April 2, 2024, the Manitoba Government then presented its annual budget speech. Of major note for education is that going forward in Manitoba, all properties valued at $400,000 or less will now receive up to a maximum of $1,500 in education levy rebates while tax rebates will decrease for properties valued at $400,000+ Under the former Government rebate plan in Manitoba, it was envisioned that half of all education levies were to be refunded regardless of property values. That school boards continue to retain fiscal autonomy to assess levies with the guarantee of rebates being applied by Government to offset this revenue generation is more than welcome in the year ahead. Accordingly, to address local requirements, education levy increases this coming year across school boards ranged from 0-28% across the province, with this wide variation explained by the reality that largest percentage increases tended to yield smaller total revenues for boards (with very limited assessment based) while boards with larger assessment bases could generate sufficient revenues under much smaller percentage increases. This past year, Minister Altomare and Deputy Minister OLeary also indicated that plans remain on track for establishment of a new funding model in time for the 2025/26 Funding of Schools announcement, towards greater flexibility in use of grants to meet divisional priorities.Convention 2024 LEADINGFrom March 20-22 2024, trustees and senior administrators from across Manitoba joined inFORWARDWinnipeg for two solid days of learning, business and networking. As one of the most busyfor ALL studentsperiods, annual convention kicks off with a standing meeting of our Associations Provincial Executive, followed by a full day of learning and professional development, a three course banquet, and a rousing resolutions session and regional meetings on our final day. This year, we were pleased to welcome motivational speaker Darci Lang as our keynote, reminding us to look at the 90% of people and life for which we can remain grateful, rather than to remain focused on the 10% of circumstances and villains who tend to consume our energy. A needed message by all in attendance! Day 2 was marked by our annual President State of the Association address by Sandy Nemeth, with greetings from CSBA President Alan Campbell too. We were also pleased to welcome Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning Nello Altomare and Deputy Minister Brian OLeary for our grand finale, a rich opportunity for all members to ask the Department of Education questions and receive answers on the most pressing and urgent priorities.'