Chinook’s Edge School Division approves $140.9M budget

At the latest Chinook's Edge Board of Trustees meeting, the trustees set financial direction for the 2025-2026 school year.

"The Chinook’s Edge Board of Trustees has approved a $140.9 million budget for the 2025–2026 school year, following a presentation from CFO/Treasurer Nadeem Altaf and a detailed Board discussion," shared Chinook's Edge.

The Board anticipates revenue of $140.4 million next year, with a budget deficit of $586,647.

"The division will use reserves to balance the budget, anticipating that reserves at the end of the 2025–2026 school year will be approximately $4.0 million or 3.2 per cent."

The school division noted that it is important to acknowledge that the Board is well under Alberta Education’s reserve cap of $8.4 million, or 6 percent.

"Also, the majority of our reserve is restricted and available only for future planned capital projects."

Chinook’s Edge has seen steady enrollment numbers in recent years.

"For 2025–2026, the division projects an enrollment of approximately 11,198 students, slightly lower than the previous year. This figure will determine funding allocations under the Adjusted Enrolment Method (AEM) funding model."

The budget will be submitted to Alberta Education.

The school division has 12 schools in neighbouring communities, including Olds, Mountain View County, Didsbury and Carstairs. Chinook's Edge has a total of 11,000 students across 40 Central Alberta schools.

Last week, Chinook's Edge shared that Cremona’s Grade 7–9 band returned from the national music festival with a gold award for their performance.

From May 13–17, York University in Toronto hosted the National MusicFest Canada. Following a "superior" performance at a music festival in Alberta this spring, the 37-student Cremona School band, which consists of students in Grades 7 through 9, was invited to the national competition.

Beyond their musical performances, band students enjoyed a variety of experiences, including visiting Niagara Falls, hiking nearby trails, and riding the Whirlpool Aero Car. They also explored Clifton Hill, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the CN Tower. To top off the trip, students attended a Toronto Blue Jays game.

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