Dear GCA Families,
I hope you are enjoying the first days of spring break. Our students have worked diligently and now are ready for some days away from the new distance learning program.
This current crisis is certainly unlike anything experienced in our lifetimes. From business closures to mass layoffs, the collision of health and economic crises have created unparalleled challenges in our work and family lives.
We know that all our GCA families are affected in one way or another, and we want to help.
Government funding impacts
In February, Alberta Education announced changes to the funding formula for all schools in the province, effective next school year. Then on March 28, the province cut funding for transportation and for support staff while schools are closed, effective this month. Together, these represent a notable reduction in funding for GCA.
Our Board of Directors and administration have reviewed ways to buffer the financial impact of lost government revenue. We are deferring non-essential capital expenditures and reducing operating costs where possible, for example not filling vacant positions. We believe that all current teachers and staff are necessary to deliver a high-quality distance learning program, so will retain full staffing for the remainder of this school year.
Tuition relief
GCA has prudently managed our finances for many years. Administration has worked diligently on reducing our financial exposure to public funding by introducing and expanding other revenue streams such as facility rentals and non-government funded programs. We have budgeted conservatively, paid down debt and saved funds as part of our risk mitigation strategy. Now we are in the fortunate position that we can use some of those savings to provide some interim support for GCA families.
The first measure our Board approved is a 10% reduction for tuition in May, June, July and August 2020.
- If you make monthly payments, the tuition portion will automatically be reduced by 10% for these four months.
- If you paid tuition in full for this year last June, and you are continuing at GCA in September, you will receive this as a credit to next year’s tuition.
- If you paid tuition in full this year for a student who is not returning next fall, you will receive the 10% reimbursement for May. (Tuition is paid monthly from June 1 to May 30 for each school year.)
Next, we are cancelling the previously announced four per cent (4%) tuition increase for the 2020-21 school year. Tuition will remain at 2019-20 rates.
Our hope is that all our families are able to remain at GCA through this period. As such, the Board has also authorized an enhancement to our tuition relief fund to help families struggling with finances. If your family experiences difficulties that may impact your ability to pay tuition at any time, please reach out to
Lyden Price
(GCA Director of Finance) for a confidential conversation to discuss options.
Conversely, if you are able to consider a contribution to the tuition relief fund, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to
Lyden
to make arrangements; a tax receipt will be provided.
Looking ahead, it is difficult to predict what the net financial impact of this crisis will be on our school. But we are steadfast in God’s Word, that He cares for every single one of His children, and for every family who is part of this community. Through these challenging days, we remain focused on our mission to Teach Truth, Inspire Excellence, Experience Christ and Serve Through Love.
You are in our daily thoughts and prayers. May God bless and protect each of our GCA families.
Riaan Kotze
Chair, GCA Board of Directors
Stan Hielema
GCA Head of School
