Public board budget tops $400M
More elementary students expected next year but fewer high school students
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board trustees, sitting as the budget committee on Monday night at the Education Centre on Fisher Dr. in Peterborough, approved a 2017-18 budget of $400,064,610 on Monday night.
The board is expecting an increase of 478 elementary students year over year, with a decline of 232 high school students in the 2017-18 school year.
The budget includes more than $50 million to support students with special needs and almost $20 million in capital spending on building and school improvement projects, according to a release from the board.
Capital projects are brought forward to the board for approval on an individual basis, with funds dedicated to capital building/ school improvement projects. Projected spending on projects for 2017-18 will include: program enhancements for students (library and science room enhancements), as well as annual building improvements (lighting, window replacements, roof and boiler maintenance), the release states.
The board has spent more than $160 million on improvements and enhancements to school facilities over the past five years, the release states.
Trustees also expressed concern about the need to ensure provincially negotiated collective agreements are fully funded by the Ministry of Education, the release states.
“Our staff work incredibly hard to ensure our students benefit from a rich educational program that inspires all students to reach their full potential,” budget committee chairwoman Sarah Bobka stated. “We are committed to providing our students with innovative learning environments that are equipped with technologies matched to the modern world. It’s heartening to see enrolment in our elementary schools continue to climb as parents and children embrace the vitality of their local public school.”
“When we began our budgetsetting process this year we prioritized a number of areas as being of significant importance to our students and parents. Special Education resources to support our students and staff in the classroom remain one of those critical areas of need. This budget reflects our dedication to serving these vulnerable students and our commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our students and staff overall.
“An area of ongoing concern is with the gap we see continue to grow between our funding and on-the-ground expenses for employee sick-leave provisions.
“This is not just an issue for us locally, but a challenge experienced by school boards across Ontario, and one which we will continue to raise with the provincial government.”