A number of Winnipeg's school divisions were slated to hold public meetings Feb. 27 evening to discuss their proposed budgets.

Those draft budgets all have one thing in common – they plan to raise education taxes.

Critics say, however, those hikes could be avoided if school divisions came together.

The Winnipeg School Division, the city's largest one, is proposing an eight per-cent hike, which amounts to an increase of about $80 per year for the average household.

The division's chair said the region needs the extra revenue to maintain their staffing levels, programming and services.

"We have our normal increase in salaries and benefits. Number two - we have 800 new students in the school division. Number three - we have aging buildings," said Rita Hildahl, board chair of the Winnipeg School Division.

The city's other school divisions are proposing hikes as well, ranging from 2.9 per cent to 8.8 per cent.

But critics said the increases are unnecessary.

Lorne Weiss would like to see the city's six divisions merge into one single division to save money. He said Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Toronto each have only one school division per city.

"We would eliminate huge duplication," he said.

"For every division there is a superintendent, there is a school board office, there is support staff, there is the cost of all that," said Weiss.

The province said it is willing to explore the idea of amalgamation.

"We have for some years extended an open invitation to divisions that want to look at amalgamation," said the province in a statement.

But school officials said a one-size-fits-all approach won't work, with individual divisions better able to assess requirements.

"You can listen to your community far better and see what is needed," said Hildahl.

While education taxes may be poised to increase, homeowners will also have to prepare for the City of Winnipeg's operating budget. The preliminary version will be released Feb. 28.

Some expect it will announce the first property tax increase in more than 14 years in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg School Division meeting is slated to be held on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at 1577 Wall Street East. 

- with a report from CTV's Jeff Keele