Board Highlights
Elk Island Catholic School Board Highlights June 2026
EICS Board of Trustees Elects Chair and Vice Chair for 2026/27 School Year
At the June 10, 2026, Organizational Board Meeting, the Elk Island Catholic Separate School Division (EICS) Board of Trustees formally elected Le-Ann Ewaskiw as Board Chair by acclamation. Additionally, Dean Sarnecki was elected as Vice Chair, also by acclamation.
This marks the second consecutive year they will serve together in these roles. Congratulations to both Le-Ann and Dean as they continue to lead the division forward into the 2026/27 school year!
2026-2027 Public Board Meeting Dates
At the Organizational Meeting held on June 10, 2026, the Board of Trustees approved the following dates for their Public Board meetings for 2026/27:
- September 16th, 2026 - Central Learning Services
- October 21st, 2026 - Camrose, Location TBD
- November 25, 2026 - Central Learning Services
- December 16th, 2026 - Central Learning Services
- January 13th, 2027 - Fort Saskatchewan, Location TBD
- February 17th, 2027 - Central Learning Services
- March 17th, 2027 - Central Learning Services
- April 21st, 2027 - Central Learning Services
- May 26th, 2027 - Central Learning Services
- June 16th, 2027 - Vegreville, Location TBD
Presentations to the Board
Faith Formation - Eucaristic Miracles
At this month's meeting,Tricia Murphy, Learning Services Consultant with Student and Staff Formation, led the Board in a Faith Formation presentation on Eucharistic Miracles. Trustees were encouraged to maintain and model an openness to the miraculous, recognizing that life, love, and the ultimate hope of heaven are all miracles in themselves. Ultimately, these extraordinary signs are not meant to prove facts, but to draw believers closer to Christ and deepen their awe for the everyday miracle of the Mass.
2026/2027 Budget Approval
Administration presented the proposed 2026-27 Elk Island Catholic Schools (EICS) budget for Board approval, highlighting the following key areas:
Enrolment & Staffing: Total divisional enrolment (excluding home education) is projected at 7,158 students, marking a net increase of 154 students, with growth concentrated in Rural Strathcona and Fort Saskatchewan. To support this growth and utilize provincial grants (Class Size Reduction and Classroom Complexity), certificated staffing will increase by 15.56 FTE and uncertificated staffing will increase by a net of 7.88 FTE. Uncertificated staffing at the schools will increase by 9.15 FTE and at the central departments it will decrease by 1.27 FTE
Financial Overview: Total revenues are projected to increase by 8.7% to $100,267,436, driven by higher enrollment and new provincial funding. Total expenses are projected to rise by 8.07% to $101,287,291 due to increased staffing costs and inflationary pressures on goods and services.
Allocations & Reserves: School budgets will receive $62.24 million (a $5.09 million increase) to fund critical programs including Flexible Pathways, Pre-K, and PUF, while department budgets are allocated $38.9 million. A projected operating deficit of approximately $945,000 will be drawn from operating reserves, drawing them down to $2.1 million (2.8% of total expenses).
Capital & Maintenance Investments: The Board plans to utilize $3.18 million from capital reserves for significant investments, leaving a remaining capital reserve balance of $1.44 million. Additionally, $1,149,223 in provincial Capital Maintenance Renewal (CMR) funding will be fully deployed toward high-priority facility upgrades at St. Patrick, Holy Redeemer, St. Luke, and St. John Paul II schools.
Risks & Assumptions: Administration noted ongoing business risks, including persistent inflationary pressures, declining reserve levels, and an aging facility infrastructure. The budget assumes actual enrollment, grant funding, and operational costs will align closely with current projections without material disruption.
Catholic School Review - Madonna Catholic School
Following the recent Catholic School Review at Madonna Catholic School, we want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this reflective process a success.
To our staff who live the mission daily, our students who represent us with pride, and our families who continually choose and support Catholic education—thank you. Together with our parish and community partners, your insights and prayers ensure we are building a strong, faith-filled foundation for tomorrow's leaders.
Board Advocacy - Sustainable Funding for Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Facilities
The Board of Trustees have written a letter to Honourable Demetrios Nicolaides
Minister of Alberta Education and Childcare, regarding funding support for Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Facilities.
Fort Saskatchewan Catholic School Site Blessing
The Board of Trustees extends its deepest gratitude to provincial and municipal partners—including MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk and Mayor Lisa Makin—for their vital collaboration, as well as to the families and community whose enduring support brings this exciting new chapter of faith-based education to life.
Summer Blessings on Behalf of the Board of Trustees
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our parents, guardians, and community stakeholders for an exceptional school year.
Your collective insights, dedication, and shared faith have been foundational to our students' success and well-being this year. By working together—home, school, and parish—we have strengthened the mission of Catholic education and created an environment where our students can truly thrive.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and investment in our schools. We pray that the summer season is a time of rest and blessing for your families.