Red Deer Public Schools staff recently got a lesson in number crunching.
About 50 teachers and other staff got a primer on how the school division is funded, the decision-making process and other aspects of overseeing a $125 million annual budget. The Managing Operations and Visionary Leadership event was led by superintendent Chad Erickson and secretary treasurer Colin Cairney and was the fourth session in the Aspiring Leaders program, which is led by the division’s human resources department.
Managing Operations and Visionary Leadership was the fourth session in the Aspiring Leaders program, hosted by the Division’s Human Resources Department.
Associate superintendent of human resources Corrine Thorsteinson was encouraged by the turnout.
“Our budget process is a big piece of our operations each year, so to see the level of engagement by our staff was really great,” said Thorsteinson. “They had some great questions and I hope they left the session with a better understanding of not only the budget process, but why decisions are made, and the challenges that our division faces in making those decisions.”
More Aspiring Leaders sessions will take place throughout the rest of the school year.
Thorsteinson encourages staff to take advantage of the sessions.
“These sessions are a perfect opportunity for any Red Deer Public employee who wants to explore whether a formal leadership position is right for them; wants to build or enhance their leadership toolkit; wants to lead where they are at; or wants an opportunity to learn from and engage with other colleagues interested in leadership.”
Red Deer Public’s budget year runs September to August. Planning for the following year’s budget starts in December with final approval by the end of May.
