Grand Erie’s Budget Approved for 2018-19 School Year

Grand Erie District School Board approved its 2018-19 operating and capital budgets during the Regular Board meeting on Monday, June 25. Both budgets will now be submitted to the Ministry of Education.

“The 2018-19 budget takes into consideration the priorities provided by the Board, Grand Erie’s Multi-Year Plan centering on Success for Every Student, and the Ministry-mandated Multi-Year Financial Recovery Plan,” said Rafal Wyszynski, Superintendent of Business and Treasurer. “The budget follows consultation with program and service staff as well as input from Grand Erie’s first-ever budget survey that solicited feedback from nearly 900 employees, parents and community members.”

Grand Erie’s operating budget for 2018-19 is $326 million, up just over $7 million (or 2.2 per cent) from the 2017-18 budget. Total projected student enrolment is expected to be 25,707 for 2018-19, a decrease of 463 students. The capital budget for 2018-19 has $25.6 million allocated for investments into buildings, renovations, upgrades and repairs.

Grand Erie’s budget takes into consideration restrictions and reductions enforced by the Multi-Year Financial Recovery Plan, declining enrolment, and a significant investment to support current transportation challenges. Impacts to the budget as a result of these challenges include reductions in staffing, deferral of investments in technology, and global cutbacks to ensure a lean budget across all departments.

“While 2018-19 will be challenging in many ways, we will ensure our focus continues to be on student achievement, fiscal responsibility and the goals identified in the Board’s Multi-Year Plan,” said Wyszynski.

The fiscal year for Ontario school boards runs from September 1 to August 31.

Grand Erie’s 2018-19 budget supports the Achievement indicator of the Board’s Multi-Year Plan and Success for Every Student through the following statements: “We will set high expectations for our students and staff. We will monitor, measure and reflect on our outcomes.”