A crisis is unfolding in Saskatchewan’s classrooms as the Regina Public Schools (RPS) board has approved sweeping cuts to its elementary band program — a move critics say threatens educational quality, equity, and access to the arts.
In a 6–1 vote, the board passed its 2025–26 budget, which includes a $450,000 reduction to the band program. The cuts will see 4.5 full-time employees reassigned and the restructuring of music education for Grade 6–8 students.
The division says the reductions were necessary to address a $2.6 million budget shortfall caused by rising inflation and enrolment costs, which outpaced additional provincial funding. But parents, educators and arts advocates say the cuts will have far-reaching consequences for students.
“I have a five-year-old daughter entering school next year,” wrote parent and arts advocate Taryn Luterbach in a public statement. “It is deeply upsetting to think she may never have the chance to experience making music with her peers — an opportunity that changed the course of my life.”
‘Not just about music’
While the province claims arts programs are “not integral” to its education strategy, families argue otherwise. School band programs are strongly linked to higher academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and mental health benefits — especially for students who are neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, new to Canada or from lower-income households.
“For many kids, band is where they feel seen and safe,” said parent Andrew Broccolo. “It was 100 per cent formative for my son — building leadership, teamwork and friendships. I’d hate for other kids to lose out on that.”
Board trustee Brandon-Shea Mutala was the lone vote against the budget. He criticized the move as a cut, not a restructuring, and proposed dipping into financial reserves to maintain staffing levels while a more thorough review is conducted — a suggestion that failed to gain traction.
“That’s not the messaging we’ve been giving the public,” said Mutala. “This would give us another year to properly analyze the structure of the band program.”
Not targeted — but still on the chopping block
Board members insisted the cuts were part of a broader effort to balance the books fairly across departments.
“Our commitment to fairness means we must evaluate all departments equally,” said trustee Cindy Anderson, who also pointed out that the elementary band program receives no direct funding from the province. “In my 15 years as a trustee, we have never, and I repeat, never received adequate funding.”
Board chair Adam Hicks said inflationary pressures and rising salary costs — especially those not funded by the Ministry of Education — have forced the division to make difficult decisions.
“I can’t even imagine what it would look like if we actually had the amount of money we needed just to keep up with inflation and increased costs on union agreements,” he said.
RPS operates under five separate union agreements, some of which include wage increases between one and three per cent. While salaries for Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation (STF) members are provincially funded, others are not, creating millions in additional costs for the division.
More than music on the line
Beyond band, the 2025–26 RPS budget includes:
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Eliminating the high school transition program, saving $1.07 million;
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Cutting $810,000 from non-instructional expenses, including facility maintenance and IT services;
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Removing one structured classroom at Wilfred Hunt School, saving approximately $240,000. This is offset by the addition of seven new specialized support classrooms.
Despite the backlash, the budget now goes to the Ministry of Education for approval, expected by August 31. In the meantime, Hicks says the division will launch a year-long review of the band program, examining national best practices and expert recommendations to determine a sustainable path forward.
“[Our goal is] ensuring that we maintain the values in that program for all students,” Hicks said.
Why Saskatchewan’s music education cuts matter to Manitobans
The recent cuts to Regina Public Schools’ elementary band program may appear to be a local issue, but they reflect broader trends that are relevant across the Prairies — including in Manitoba.
As education funding continues to face pressure from inflation and enrolment growth, arts programs like music are often among the first affected. Saskatchewan’s decision to reduce funding and staffing for school band programs highlights how arts education can become vulnerable when budgets tighten.
While Manitoba has not announced similar reductions, the situation in Regina underscores the importance of ongoing conversations about how public education is funded and what kinds of programs are prioritized. Cuts to music education in one province can influence how similar decisions are made elsewhere, particularly when neighbouring regions face comparable fiscal challenges.
For Manitoba families, educators and arts communities, Regina’s experience serves as a reminder of the value — and the fragility — of inclusive, well-rounded education systems.