Manitoba First Nations School System Funding Model for

Manitoba First Nations School System Funding Model for Transportation First Nations Education Funding Forum K-12 Education Transformation: Sharing, Learning, Implementing Assembly of First Nation May 22, 2019

Objective § To provide an overview of the Manitoba First Nation School System Funding Model for Transportation Formula § To provide impacts of the Education Transportation Funding Model § To identify challenges that the MFNSS has experienced in managing the transportation program under the current Transportation funding model § To provide recommendations towards efficiency in managing and administering a First Nation Transportation program

Introduction • Since the development and implementation of the Manitoba First Nation School System (MFNSS) in July 2017, the Manitoba First Nation Education Resource Centre (MFNERC) has been managing and administering education programs for 10 First Nation schools in Manitoba. • This includes all components of the School Transportation program for the 10 MFNSS First Nation schools. • The MFNSS Transportation funding required to manage and administer the funding is generated though an funding model agreed upon between the MFNERC Team and Indigenous Services Canada. • One key piece for consideration is the need for development of a funding model that accounts for actual costs involved for school transportation and is flexible enough to accommodate First Nation communities of varying sizes and isolation.

The MFNSS Transportation Considerations As Education Directors, Principals and Educators, what are some considerations or issues that you experience in your First Nations? 1. Bus Drivers 2. Buses 3. Budgets

The MFNSS Transportation Funding Model • George Merasty

Impacts of the MFNSS Transportation Funding Model • More funding has been generated to address the following transportation areas: – Human Resources and Management • equitable bus driver salaries at full time hours; • transportation policy development; – Maintenance • Addressing fuel costs and variations across Manitoba FN communities; • vehicle maintenance and replacement on regular schedules

Impacts of the MFNSS Transportation Funding Model • More funding has been generated to address the following transportation areas: – Training • Annual bus driver orientation, including first aid training; • bus driver license renewal; – Bus Replacements • Ability of purchase additional buses though education budgets

Challenges • Diesel Exhaust Fluid issues • Finding enough trained bus drivers • Retaining certified bus drivers • Lower quality bus fleets result in on-going high costs in repairs and replacements • Adhering to a MFNSS policy vs. past local practices • Tracking regular bus safety and certification schedules; • Access to shops and mechanics for repairs • Inflation • bus driver license renewal

Recommendations • Assess your current regional Department of Indigenous Services Canada (DISC) transportation funding formula and whether enhanced funding is provided. • Assess other provincial school divisions funding models to determine gaps in funding between “federal” and “provincial” funding models; • Identify recapitalization strategies for purchases of new buses;

Recommendations • Identify the areas and gaps in funding resulting from geographic factors such as remote, isolated, etc. • Identify factors that contribute to high costs in school bus repairs stemming from roads condition in First Nations; • Determine an appropriate transportation funding models meeting the needs of First Nations in Manitoba or in other regions • Economies of scale and partnerships created to ensure success (shared services)

Recommendations • Succession planning ensures business continuity; etc. • Post in the First Nation the requirements for attaining bus driver certification • Research and compare costs of bus purchases from various bus companies • Budget for certifying bus drivers • Implement at a minimum a provincial comparable salary scale for bus drivers

For more information: Mr. Charles Cochrane, B. Ed. , (Ebb and Flow First Nation – Ojibwe) Director of Facilities and Operations Manitoba First Nation Education Resource Centre charlesc@mfnerc. com Mr. George Merasty, B. Comm. (Hons), CA, CPA (Flying Dust First Nation – Cree) Director of Finance Manitoba First Nation Education Resource Centre georgem@mfnerc. com