School taxes up across the board in Winnipeg

If you're a homeowner in Winnipeg, expect to pay more in school taxes this year.

Five out of six school divisions in the city have released their 2017-18 budgets; all have school tax increases,ranging from 2.8 to 5.6 per cent.

The Winnipeg School Division, Manitoba's largest school board,has yet to approve its budget, which will require at least a threeper cent increase in taxes.

The division has until March 15 to approve its budget.

The Winnipeg School Division spoke against the province's funding of the division this year after it received a one per cent increase something the division said amounts to a cut, not an increase, because teacher salaries and utility costs are rising more than that.

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"Despite limited funding from the provincial government, we intend to deliver quality education and continue to increase WSD graduation rates," said Chris Broughton, the finance committee chair for the school board.

A look at the numbers by division

Seven Oaks 3.54 per cent increase. The division said that would be a$105.75 tax increase for a homeowner with a house assessed at $293,000.

River East Transcona 2.7 per cent increase. That's$44 more for owners with a house valued at $273,300, the division said.

Louis Riel 3.89per cent increase. That's about$71 more for a homeowner with a home valued at $318,300.

Pembina Trails 2.8 per cent increase. The hike would mean a $60 tax increase for ahomeowner with a house valued at $398,444.

St. James-Assiniboia 5.6per cent increase. That's $84 more per home valued at $267,600.