View the PDF version of the presentation. 

On this Page:

1. 2024-2025 Public Budget Consultation
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. YRDSB Budget Profile
4. Operating Budget vs. Capital Budget
5. Budget Development Process
6. Building a Budget
7. Budget Compliance Requirements
8. School Board Revenue Sources
9. YRDSB 23-24 Estimated Operating Revenue
10. Key Components for 23-24 Operating Expenditures
11. Budget by Major Expenditure Categories
12. 2024-25 Enrolment Projection and 10-Years Enrolment Trend - Pupil of the Board
13. 2024-25 Ministry Funding information
14. 2024-2025 Budget Risks
15. 24-25 Public Survey
16. Budget Timeline
17. Questions

2024-2025 Budget Information

Presentation for April 8, 2024 Public Consultation Session

YRDSB Budget Profile

• YRDSB is the third largest school district in Ontario, with a budget of $1.6 billion (PSAB standard)
• 215 schools in 24-25 school year: 182 elementary and 33 secondary
• Services 130,000 students
• 13,000 full-time equivalent staff
• Over 96% of Board revenue is from GSN
• Over 84% of the budget is salaries and benefits, and 90% of that is school-based staffing

Operating Budget vs. Capital Budget

Operating Budget - supports the day-to-day operations 

• Classroom Instruction
  • educational staff, textbooks and classroom supplies, computers
• Non-Classroom
  • school operations, in-school administration, transportation, governance and administration, teacher consultants, and Community and International Education

Capital Budget - supports the infrastructure needs of the Board

• New construction
• Major repairs and renovations
• Major building components

Budget Development Process

Fall

• Financial statements
  • Previous year financial performance
• Revised estimates

Winter

• Budget Planning
  • Enrolment Forecasts
  • Budget Risk Areas
• Grants for Student Needs announcement

Spring

• Budget Consultations
  • Advisory Committees
  • Public Consultations

Summer

• Finalize Budget
  • Submit by June 30

Building a Budget

• Expenses balanced with Revenues

Budget Compliance Requirements

• Balanced Budget and 1% Rule
• In-Year Deficit Elimination Plan (within 2 years)

School Board Revenue Sources

• Grants for Student Needs (GSN)

  • Based on formulas set out in regulations each year and calculated primarily by student enrollment despite cash sources from both provincial and local taxation.

• The Priorities and Partnership Fund (PPF)

  • Provides education funding, supplemental to the GSN, for high-impact initiatives that directly support students in the classroom. The funding is evidence-based and outcome-focused while providing streamlined, accountable, and time-limited funding that will be reviewed and assessed by the Ministry each year. 

• Miscellaneous Revenues

  • Vary from board to board. Common miscellaneous revenues include International Student tuition fees, permit/lease revenue, interest income, and program fees, such as acting as the agent for Federal government programs (e.g. Link or ESL programs).

YRDSB 23-24 Estimated Operating Revenue - $1.6B

Operating Revenue Sources

Excluding School Generated Funds

Operating Revenue - Other Sources

Key Components for 23-24 Operating Expenditures

Instruction Expenses at 79.5%

• Including school-based staffing, school administration and other program staff, textbooks/supplies, computer and equipment and staff training.

Administration Expenses at 2.2%

• Central Board departmental staff and operating costs such as Director’s Office, IT, Human Resources, Finance, and Trustees.

Transportation at 3.1%

• Student transportation costs

School Operations at 8.7%

• School operations and maintenance (caretakers, utilities)

Renewal, Debt and Other Expenses at 1.5%

• Such as school renewal expenditure, cost of financing and other miscellaneous costs including secondment cost, etc. 

Amortization at 5.0%

• Amortization of capital assets, offset by the deferred capital contribution 

Budget by Major Expenditure Categories

2024-25 Enrolment Projection and 10-Years Enrolment Trend - Pupil of the Board

Enrollment - Pupils of the Board

2024-2025 Ministry Funding Information

The Ministry of Education provides over 90% of Board revenue through the Grants for Student Needs (GSN). This funding is based on formulas set out in regulations under the Education Act and calculated primarily by student enrolment. 

Revisions to education funding are released in the spring of each year. Once the Ministry of Education releases information for the 2024-2025 school year staff will provide an overview of the announcement. 

2024-2025 Budget Risks 

Enrolment Projection

• The Board is projecting increased enrolment in the 24-25 school year. Enrolment projection may deviate from actual results, which impacts Grants for Student Needs and staff allocation.

Funding Challenge

• Uncertainty about the Ministry Funding change as GSN has not yet been released. 

Inflation

• Commodity prices increased significantly post-pandemic. Ministry benchmark does not fully address the cost of inflation, the Board will experience a funding shortfall.

Collective Agreement and remedy payment

• The result of the current negotiations will impact the budget preparation.

24-25 Public Survey

• The Board will continue conducting a public survey in 24-25.
• This survey aims to offer an opportunity for students, families, staff and the broader YRDSB community to provide input into the decision making regarding YRDSB’s funding allocation for the 2024-2025 school year. Results will inform funding decisions for the 2024-2025 school year.
• The survey will be available for completion between March 18 and April 12, 2024.
• For additional information, please visit Budget Consultations. 

Budget Timeline

March 18-April 12

• Budget Survey

April 8 

• Public Budget Consultations

April 30

• Finance and Property Standing Committee
  • 23-24 Second Quarter Report
  • GSN Information

May 28

• Finance and Property Standing Committee
  • Advisory Committee presentations
  • Public Consultation Summaries
  • Updated GSN Information

June 11

• Finance and Property Standing Committee
  • Draft Budget Presentation 

June 19

• Board Meeting
  • Final Budget Approval by the Board