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Board passes balanced budget

Board passes balanced budget
Posted on 06/26/2019
Budget

At the June 25, 2019 Special Board Meeting, the Rainy River District School Board approved the 20192020 balanced budget of $53,354,540, which represents a 5% decrease over the 2018-2019 budget.

 

School boards across Ontario have faced unique challenges this year with balancing their operating budgets because of government funding reductions. However, RRDSB will continue to support student mental health and special education, which were identified as priorities by stakeholders, through continued support for mental health professional services in the schools, as well as Autism Support Workers and Behavioral Therapists for all elementary schools.

 

RRDSB will also continue support for students through the Speech Language Program, Reading Recovery Program, and the new TechWays Program, which provides students in Grades 7 and 8 career/pathway planning support and opportunities for increased experiential learning. Funding has also been allocated to support ongoing training and professional development for school staff, as well as to continue the work within Indigenous Education. Additionally, field trips and extra-curricular transportation will continue to be funded.

 

One of the many challenges within the budget included staffing. The Board will regretfully see a reduction of 37.73 FTE of staff due to the loss of Local Priority Funding, declining enrollment, and the class size funding changes. Administration has also been working to maintain as many elective courses and specialized programming at the secondary level despite the funding challenges.

 

Input on the 2019-2020 budget was sought from school councils, from Board advisory committees, schools, and through an online survey for parents/guardians. The 20192020 budget reflects the input received, with continued support for intervention/supportive programming, the student-counselling program, Indigenous Education, and professional development and resources.

 

“The Board was pleased to approve the 2019-20 budget in support of student achievement and well-being. This budget focuses on programming, supports system wide and local priorities, is in alignment with the Board's Multi-Year Strategic Plan and reflects input from a wide variety of stakeholders. We appreciate all of the input received throughout the budget process and the work put into developing a budget which clearly puts students first,” said Raymond Roy, Board Chair.

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