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Crossroads
PERFECT DRAW
DARRELL NESBITT/CROSSROADS THIS WEEK
Anthony Gillis, one half of the Baldur High School’s duo taking to the ice at the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s Mixed Double Curling Bonspiel held at the Hamiota Curling Club on Friday, Feb. 13, not only tossed this rock, but also brushed it to get by a Vincent Massey stone, under the watch of partner Emily Elliott. Final draws were held on the afternoon of the 14th, with Morden placing first over Edward Schreyer.
PWSD sounds the alarm over funding
School division faces funding shortfall amid rising costs and one of the lowest increases ever in pr ovincial funding
RACHEAL FLINTOFT
Crossroads This Week
While the Manitoba government announced a $79.8 million boost to education funding this month, the Park West School Division (PWSD) is sounding the alarm, reporting that it is receiving one of the lowest increases in the province.
Education Minister Tracy Schmidt framed the 3.5 percent provincial funding increase for the 2026-27 school year as a brighter future for students, focusing on school food programs and teacher salary harmonization. However, for Park West, the numbers tell a different story. The division revealed it will re-
ceive only a 0.7 percent increase, significantly lower compared to the provincial average and less than the one percent figure publicly reported for many divisions. This marks the second year in a row that PWSD has sat at or near the bottom of the provincial funding list.
“Park West received a 0.7 percent funding increase for the 2026–
27 school year, which is below what was publicly reported and represents the second lowest increase of any Manitoba school division,” said PWSD Superintendent Stephen David. “Taken together with last year’s results, this reflects a continued pattern of comparatively low provincial funding growth for Park West.”
The modest funding increase comes at a time when the basic costs of keeping schools open are surging. Division officials noted that inflation and supply-chain issues have hit their fixed costs – expenses they cannot avoid – harder than ever.
SEE RISING COSTS , PAGE 2
