News Release
6/6/2017
Aurora, ON– At its June 6 Board meeting, York Region District School Board approved a balanced 2017-2018 budget with a total of $1,446,369,000.
94.4 per cent of the budget is allocated for classroom instruction and school operation related expenses. The balance is allocated for governance, administration and transportation.
“We are proud to deliver a balanced budget that reflects our priorities and the commitments our Board has made to our community and to the Ministry of Education,” said Loralea Carruthers, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “This year, we have committed over $850,000 to fund the Minister’s Directions, including the Every Student Counts Survey, the creation of a robust Human Rights Office and the introduction of an Independent Integrity Commissioner.”
“Developing the budget is a year-long process, led by the finance department, in consultation with York Region District School Board trustees, employees and system partners,” said Wanda Muirhead-Toporek, Chief Financial Officer for York Region District School Board.
York Region District School Board Trustee and Budget Committee Chair Juanita Nathan added, “The budget provides for the delivery of effective and sustainable educational programs and the stewardship of Board resources, which is clearly outlined in the Trustees Multi-Year Plan.”
“I would like to thank trustees, staff and system partners who worked collaboratively to develop another balanced budget that strives to meet the needs of all our students,” said Kathryn Wallace, Interim Director of Education for YRDSB.
Highlights of the 2017-2018 budget include:
- $872,000 has been committed to address the Minister’s Directions, including funds for the Every Student Counts survey, the creation of a robust Human Rights Office and an Independent Integrity Commissioner.
- To identify equity as a priority area, Inclusive Schools and Community Services (ISCS) has been set up as its own cost centre with a budgeted expenditure of $2,579,750.
- Funding to support the central labour agreements, including increased salary benchmarks and the restoration of salary grid movement.
- Technology and Learning Fund moving from the Education Program Other (EPO) grants into the Grants for Student Needs.
- Increase for Community Use of Schools, student transportation and non-staff portion of the school operations grant, including utilities.
- Continuing changes in the funding formula for special education and school board administration.
Quick Facts:
- 94.4 per cent of the budget is allocated for classroom instruction and school operation related expenses, with the remaining 5.6 per cent allocated for governance, administration and transportation.
- York Region District School Board’s budget for 2017-2018 is $1,446,369,000– an increase of 4.1 per cent from the approved 2016-2017 budget of $1,389,174,000.
- Budget revenues are derived from Grants for Student Needs from the Province of Ontario, which includes property taxes transferred from the Municipalities, and miscellaneous revenues comprised of tuition fees for international students, rental revenues and other revenues, including interest revenue.
- The budget will serve an enrolment of approximately 123,000 pupils (nominal numbers).
- One new elementary school and one secondary school is scheduled to open during the 2017-18 school year.
- York Region District School Board is the largest employer in the region with over 15,000 staff members.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 123,000 students in 176 elementary schools and 32 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow @YRDSB on Twitter.
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