On June 10, the Board unanimously approved the OCDSB 2024-2025 operating budget of $1.2 billion and capital budget of $127.8 million.
This budget makes investments in key priority areas, including the introduction of a new Indigenous student trustee; increased special education supports, specifically new communication disorder assistants, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and educational assistants; and human resources to support payroll, disability claims, and elementary programming.
The District operates on a fiscal year that runs from September 1 to August 31. Prior to the start of each fiscal year, the Board is required to approve a budget before the end of June. Under the terms of the Education Act, school boards are required to present a balanced budget, which was the primary focus in crafting the 2024-2025 plan.
This year, the Ministry of Education changed the previous funding model terms and arrangements. These changes were not meant to be a contraction or expansion in funding but a realignment for transparency and to provide planners a better understanding of funding purpose. After reviewing our financial position once enrollment projections were entered, it was determined that an additional $1.2 million was available for the investments detailed above.
The OCDSB is expected to have an enrolment of approximately 77,000 students for the 2024-2025 school year.
Trustee Lynn Scott, Chair of the Board:
"Preparing a budget that balances ambitious strategies to promote learning, well-being and social responsibility with our fiscal reality is a complex endeavor. I appreciate the work that the Board of Trustees has undertaken this year to advocate for full and fair funding for public education; this work will continue. I would like to thank our staff for their work in developing this budget; they have navigated complex financial needs, changes in grant funding, and the Board’s strategic priorities and developed a balanced budget which continues to put the needs of students first.”
Highlights from 2024-2025 Budget
- Total operating budget of $1,169,323,005
- Total capital spending authorization is $127,838,114, including $37.24 million in capital priorities (such as the building of new schools), $10.31 million in school renewal, and $54.14 million in school condition improvement.\
- 8,588.56 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, an increase of 91.18 (FTE).
- $158.4 million to support students with special education needs (a $18.2 million increase from previous year’s budget)
Background:
More details on the budget can be found here: https://engage.ocdsb.ca/2024-2025-budget