The development of the budget is an ongoing process involving extensive collaboration with trustees, staff and system partners. The budget reflects decisions made throughout the year and includes Board priorities and direction as established by the Trustees’ Multi-Year Strategic Plan, the District Action Plan and the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement. Input is received from our families, students, community members and advisory committees including the Special Education Advisory Committee; Parent, Family and Community Engagement Advisory Committee; Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee; York Region – Ontario Principals’ Council; and York Region District School Board Corporate Management and Professional Staff Council.
At the June 19, 2024 Board meeting, the York Region District School Board approved the 2024-2025 operating budget of $1.7 billion. A further breakdown is available in the 2024-2025 Budget Book (PDF).
Highlights of the 2024-2025 Budget
Based on the valuable feedback received through consultations with our families, students, communities and advisory committees, the 2024-2025 budget reflects the investments in the following key areas:
- Funding for primary literacy teachers and resource support to provide each Kindergarten to Grade 2 class with early reading screening tools.
- Investment in a technology cost sharing program to support school fundraising for computer devices in schools.
- Investment in student technology devices to support teaching and learning in classrooms.
- Additional special education staffing as well as funding for additional social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and special education resource teachers to address students’ special needs, health and well-being.
- Funding to enhance support for secondary students learning multiple languages.
- Funding for Indigenous student advisors, an equity consultant and additional graduation coaches to support underperforming and underserved students to enhance graduation rates.
The Board continues to face challenges as it returns to pre-pandemic operations. Considerations were acknowledged in such areas as:
- Enrolment uncertainties, including the intake of new pupils, transfers from other boards and international student enrolment.
- Estimation of interest income.
- Employee sick time and leaves.
- Inflationary increases in goods, services and utilities.
Ministry of Education Funding Commitments
In the 2024-2025 school year, the Ministry of Education restructured its funding model from the former Grants for Student Needs (GSN) to a new "Core Education Funding" (Core Ed). The 2024-2025 Core Education Funding model simplifies funding structures and enhances accountability while addressing key priorities. Highlights include:
- Restructured Funding Model: The Grants for Student Needs (GSN) has been renamed and streamlined into "Core Education Funding" (Core Ed), reducing 18 grants and 77 allocations to six funds and 28 allocations for simplicity and improved accountability.
- Census Updates and Phase-In: Funding formulas now incorporate 2021 census data, phased in over five years, to better reflect current demographics and student needs.
- Specialized Funding Changes in the Special Incidence Portion, updates to professional assessment funding, and a modernized approach to the Specialized Equipment Allocation.
- Elimination of COVID-19 Funding: Temporary funding related to COVID-19 measures, such as the Safe and Clean Schools Supplement, has been discontinued as schools return to normal operations.
Updated January 2025