By: Laura Steiner
Halton District School Board (HDSB) have approved the operating and capital budgets for the 2019-2020 school year. The approval came at their June 19th 2019 meeting. The 2019-2020 operating budget for the HDSB totals $754,956,645, while the capital budget totals $64,005,723.
The 2019-2020 Budget Development process included challenges resulting from a significant reduction in funding, accentuated by:
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an increase in operational pressures,
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increased demand in resources to support student achievement,
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Ministry of Education redistribution of the Special Education funding, and
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a per pupil level of funding that is below the provincial average.
The budget carries a deficit of $2.5 million. According Superintendent Roxana Negoi, $1.7 of this refers to prior commitments, and $816,000 will be carried in-year. “This deficit is in addition to approximately $35 million in staff and cost reduction, which have been made in order to respond to funding changes.”
HDSB Director of Education Stuart Miller is confident that cuts can be made with students’ best interest at heart. “Our staff will always do what is required to support students the best that they can.” There has already been a reduction of over 800 classes.
In May, HDSB told 154 teachers they may not have a position in September. According to media reports, that number has since increased to 189 when non-classroom positions are added. For more details on the HDSB budget visit the website
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