June 15th, 2017

Trustees unanimously approved a balanced budget for the 2017-18 school year at a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 14, 2017.

Trustees received a balanced budget of $751.8M, including a capital budget of $72.5M that meets our legislation requirements. The budget is subject to final approval at the Board Meeting on June 26, 2017.

Our Financial Services staff worked closely with departments to review spending trends, making adjustments where necessary. This review helps to ensure the long-term financial stability of the board and includes funding for new initiatives to help us achieve our operational goals.

Quotes:

“Preparing a balanced budget takes many months of hard work. I would like to thank the Financial Services Department for their dedication, ensuring trustees can approve a balanced budget that meets our provincial requirements and continues to support all of our students in their learning journey.”
– Scott McMillan, Chairperson

“Collaboration and consultation with our staff and community members is a central focus of our budget process. It allows us to position the board for long-term financial success while making sure we meet our provincial requirements. I am proud of the work of our Financial Services team for developing this balanced budget and would like to thank trustees for approving the budget and new initiatives that will help our students succeed as we continue to focus on their achievement and well-being.”
– Matthew Gerard, Coordinating Superintendent Business and Financial Services

Budget Backgrounder

Increased Funding Areas

  • The Grant for Student Needs (GSN) is the main source of revenue. The GSN is based primarily on student enrolment.
  • Our enrolment forecast for 2017-18 shows an increase of an additional 1301 students; this is equivalent to a new secondary school.
  • An increase in elementary enrolment will flow through our system for the next few years with long-term benefits for our system.
  • This increase in enrolment accounts for an increase of $12,957,280 in our GSN funding.

Increased Supports for Students

  • Four student re-engagement teachers will help identify students at risk of not graduating, helping them re-engage in their learning and achieve a diploma.
  • Two principal coaches that focus on mathematics at the elementary level will support schools.
  • Two graduation learning support teacher sections at each secondary school
  • The development of a suicide prevention and postvention procedure and resources to support students in need, in consultation with Mental Health Assist.
  • Additional educational assistants and child and youth workers in schools.

New Initiative Funding

  • New initiatives must be funding through accumulated surplus. This funding is for one-time only initiatives.
  • This year, the cost for new initiatives is $2.5M
  • New initiatives for the 2017-18 school year include wireless network replacement and upgrades, support for transition to a new email system across our organization, the development and implementation of a staff well-being strategy, a communications audit, implementation of Compass for Success for all students, start-up resources for a new Kitchener elementary school and a student and staff well-being project with Plasticity Labs.

Capital Funding

  • The capital budget for the 2017-18 school year is  $72.5M
  • This includes funding for a new elementary school in South Kitchener and additions at Cedar Creek PS, Ryerson PS, and Grand River Collegiate Institute
  • School Condition Improvement grants sit at $11.8M, an increase of 50% from last year. 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 2% to $7.67M