The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) says its new Provincial Collective Bargaining Agreement (PCBA) with the province is not the direct cause to possible restructuring of Regina Public Schools’ elementary band program.

The STF’s claim comes after it was revealed that Regina Public Schools may restructure its elementary band program for the 2025-26 school year. The revelation caused some students, parents and teachers to worry the program’s quality would suffer as a result.

“A memo from the school division seems to imply the division’s funding challenges are the result of the new 2023-2026 provincial collective bargaining agreement. This is simply not true; new class complexity clauses in the PCBA are ensuring school divisions receive more funding from the province to support student’s needs,” the STF said in a news release Wednesday.

According to the STF, while some school divisions will still be faced with difficult decisions in their budgets, it’s important to be clear they are not a result of the PCBA.

“As a result of binding arbitration, the provincial government has provided additional funding to school divisions to fund the class complexity clauses of the PCBA. This includes fully funding approximately 515 new teaching positions and a $20-million class complexity fund,” the STF said.

STF President Samantha Becotte says band and other music programs exist because they offer important opportunities for students’ learning and development.

On May 29, Regina Public Schools said that it is still in the process of finalizing it’s approximately $300 million budget for the 2025-26 school year, adding it will be solidified on June 24.

“Therefore, nothing has been finalized with respect to the band program or anything else,” the division said, adding that no layoffs would happen if a restructuring of the program were to take place.

“The arts, including band, is important to Regina Public Schools students and their families and staff. The elementary band program complements but is not integral to the ministry’s education strategy,” the division said.

Regina Public said that 2025-26 is a unique budget year, as significant funding has shifted to addressing classroom complexity following the new collective bargaining agreement.

“Zero funding is provided by the provincial government for elementary band programs, so funding that program at previous levels could come at the expense other programs that support Regina Public Schools’ 27,000 students.”

According to the school division, it is looking to restructure how it delivers elementary band so it can more efficiently use the targeted funding it receives from the province.

“As part of the budget process, Regina Public Schools is working to align programs and services with the provincial education strategy, which is tied to funding,” it added.

The division’s new strategy is focused on Kindergarten to Grade 3 literacy, more space for students and classroom complexity.

As part of its most recent education budget, the provincial government identified Kindergarten to Grade 3 literacy as a priority.

Regina Public said that if any restructuring of its elementary band program was to take place, it would be equitable and transparent.

“Regina Public Schools will continue to offer an elementary band program; it may just look a little different in the new school year,” the school division said.

“We all need to work together to ensure that students’ needs are met; teachers and parents can’t do it alone,” Becotte said in the release

“If provincial funding falls short of what is needed to meet priorities within the division, trustees and division leadership share in the responsibility to advocate for improved funding.”