June 25th, 2015

On Wednesday, June 24 2015, Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) trustees approved a balanced budget for the 2015-2016 school year, as outline in the report to board.

Trustees approved a balanced operating budget of approximately $681.5M, plus a capital budget of $57.1M.

Building off of the system fiscal review that took place last year, a thorough review of department spending trends was analyzed and budgets were adjusted accordingly. Despite increasing cost pressures, the board benefited from this initiative, which ensures that we will be positioned well fiscally to address future challenging issues.

Quote:
“I am very pleased that trustees approved a balanced budget for the 2015-16 school year. Staff have worked hard to ensure that our spending is directed in areas that directly support student well-being and achievement.” – Kathleen Woodcock, Chair of the Board

About the Waterloo Region District School Board
The Waterloo Region District School Board (wrdsb) has approximately 42,000 elementary students and 19,000 secondary in 118 school locations in the Region of Waterloo. From junior kindergarten to Grade 12 students, our schools provide instruction designed to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to provide a solid foundation for living and learning.

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Budget Backgrounder

Increased instructional spending

  • A change in the funding model for special education saw an increase of $626,823. This is the second year of a four year phase-in for the new funding model.
  • Expanding licences for Dreambox to all Grade 1 students at a cost of $198,000. Drembox, an online learning tool that promotes foundations of mathematics, is currently available to all Grade 2 students in the WRDSB.

Capital Priorities

  • Capital budget for 2015-16 is $57.1M
  • Includes money for four new schools, including new Vista Hills PS in Waterloo, two new elementary schools in Kitchener, and a new Riverside PS in Elmira.
  •  School Condition Improvement grants increased by $9.3M. This increased funding will help improve energy efficiencies in our schools, and help meet compliance requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
  • School Renewal Allocation increased by $6.6M