June 21st, 2016

Kitchener, ON:

On Monday, June 20, 2016, Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) trustees approved a balanced budget for the 2016-2017 school year, as outlined in the report to the board.

Trustees approved a balanced budget of $708.8M, including a capital budget of $67.9M. The budget is subject to final approval at the June 27 Board Meeting.

Financial Services worked closely with departments to review budgets, making sure spending trends were analyzed and any necessary adjustments were made to reflect trends. The board benefitted from this review, ensuring we are well positioned fiscally to address any future pressures. The approved budget complies with provincial legislation, ensures the long-term fiscal stability of the board, and provides funding for new initiatives to continue to move the board forward and improve student achievement and well-being.

Quotes:

“The budget process for an organization as large as the WRDSB is complex and begins many months before trustees deliberate what is presented by staff. The knowledge of our staff, the support of the Ministry of Education and our strategic priority of ‘students first’ helps to ensure we pass a balanced budget that supports student learning and achievement, while staying true to our fiscal responsibilities – Kathleen Woodcock, Chair of the Board

“The development of our budget is a lengthy process that involves a great deal of collaboration and consultation. Establishing guiding principles for the process helped us to present a balanced budget with a focus on student achievement and well-being, and staff well-being.” – Matthew Gerard, Superintendent of Business Services & Treasurer of the Board

 

Budget Backgrounder

Increased spending areas

  • Investment in FNMI Education: to support the implementation of the Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework, boards will hire a dedicated lead for FNMI education.
  • Changes in Language Grants: starting in 2016-17, the Language Grant (English as a Second Language and French as a Second Language) will be updated with data from the 2011 Census to help support the on the ground needs of boards through the use of student information. This is an increase of $204,695 in benchmark funding.
  • Learning Opportunities Grant: The transfer of the Learning Opportunities Grant into the GSN increased benchmark funding for two Education Program Other Grants:
    • Outdoor Education sees an increase of $527,508
    • Library Staff sees an increase of $216,500

Capital Priorities

  • Capital budget for 2016-17 is $67.9M
  • Includes money for three new schools, including the new Chicopee Hills PS, Groh PS and a new elementary school in the Rosenburg development in Kitchener.
  • School Condition Improvement grants sit at $7.8M. This grant helps 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 14% to $7.5M

 

About the Waterloo Region District School Board
The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has approximately 40,000 elementary students and 20,000 secondary students in 118 school locations in the Region of Waterloo. From Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, our schools provide instruction designed to develop in our students the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide a solid foundation for living and learning. Our graduates have great success as they pursue further education and rewarding careers. Follow us on Twitter @wrdsb.