The Foothills school division is predicting a $3.5 million deficit for next years budget.

And that's why they want your help.

Drew Chipman, assistant superintendent says they released the 'Ideas That Make Cents' survey earlier this week.

"So, we're starting that process so we can get feedback and get people's input as to maybe some revenue generating possibilities or how they can maybe suggest areas to trim."

The reason it's coming out now is their budget for next year needs to be set by the end of May this year.

Chipman explains some of the challenges they've faced.

"Insurance costs have increased over 400 per cent from just three years ago.  We've been lucky enough to get some specific funding from the province for a couple of those years but you know, those are real dollars that have to come out of somewhere for us to be able to balance moving forward.  There's no commitment from the province to continue to provide additional separate dollars for that.  It's a huge number...it's around a two million dollar increase. And utilities and fuel costs for buses that has just taken a huge jump this year when you look at what we were paying last year...and now we're almost 50 per cent higher than that so those are some inflationary pressures that are also compounding our issue."

Here's the survey link to add in your thoughts on possible cost savings or revenue generating ideas.