The Seine River School Division Board of Trustees released its 2026/2027 draft budget on February 26, 2026, which outlines proposed spending for classrooms and buses in Ste. Anne, Manitoba. This plan follows a successful effort to clear a multimillion-dollar debt by the end of 2025, which the division achieved ahead of its original three-year timeline. By the end of last year, the board reported a surplus of $1.8 million after paying off its remaining debt.
The draft budget is described by the board as a balanced plan that aims to maintain stability while supporting a growing number of students. Last year, the division operated with a budget of over $78 million, and this new proposal looks to manage rising costs while continuing to fund student learning and local programs. The board is now shifting its focus from paying off debt to managing the growth of the community.
For residents of Ste. Anne, the budget addresses ongoing issues with overcrowding at the Ste. Anne Elementary School complex. The board is focusing on plans for a new vocational high school to help create more space for local students as the population continues to rise. This project remains a top priority for families and taxpayers who have been concerned about limited space in local classrooms.
Community members can now review the draft summary before an upcoming public presentation where the board will take questions on the proposal. This meeting gives residents a chance to ask how the division will fund classroom staffing and transportation before the budget is officially approved. The board encourages families to look over the details to see how the proposed spending will affect local education services.
