At the June 22, 2021 Special Board
Meeting, the Rainy River District School Board approved the 2021‐2022 balanced budget of $56,461,881.
The budget process begins in
January of each year with the development of school enrolment projections,
which form the basis of the budget. Throughout the year, programs are assessed,
and planning for the following year occurs, with student achievement and
well-being as the primary goals as supported through the Board’s Strategic
Plan. This year, budgets were also reviewed in light of the pandemic and the reopening
of schools in September 2021.
As identified during budget
consultations, the 2021-2022 budget contains increased support for student mental
health and support for our students with the highest needs, with more mental
health clinicians and an increase in Autism Support Workers. Literacy
supports for students are found in the continued funding for Speech Language
Programming and Reading Recovery Programming, with funding also allocated to
support ongoing training and professional development in literacy for school
staff through the Reading Recovery Leader and Literacy Coordinator.
Support for the implementation
of the recently updated elementary Math curriculum and Destreamed Grade 9 Math
curriculum is also within the 2021-2022 budget, with the continuation of the
Elementary Numeracy Coordinator and the addition of a Destreamed Math Coordinator. The TechWays Program, which provides students
in Grades 7 and 8 career/pathway planning support with opportunities for
increased hands-on/experiential learning, is also confirmed within this
budget.
As well, in 2021-22, we continue
our focus on Indigenous Education for all students and staff, with funding to
support an Indigenous Education Leader, an Indigenous Education Curriculum
Coordinator, an Indigenous Graduation Coach, and an Ojibwe Language Coordinator,
in addition to continued funding for Year 5 of the Ojibwe Language Strategy,
Anishinaabemodaa.
Input on the 2021-2022 budget
was sought from school councils, Union partners, Board advisory committees, and
Student Senate representatives. The 2020‐2021
budget reflects the input received.
Read the full press release