$1.5B York Region District School Board budget includes projected $29M deficit

'Challenging financial environment' won't directly impact programs that affect student learning, well-being, say officials

Thestar.com
July 11, 2022

The York Region District School Board's $1.5-billion budget for the 2022-23 school year includes a projected $29 million deficit, but officials say that won't have a direct impact on programs and services that affect student learning and well-being.
“Although the Board continues to experience budget shortfalls ... the budget includes key investment in areas including student and staff mental health and well-being, information technologies and ESL teachers,” said associate director and chief financial officer Vidyia Maharaj.
“While facing a very challenging financial environment, it was our focus to ensure our students were not affected with staffing reductions," added board chair Allan Tam.
Trustees passed the budget at the June 30 board meeting.
The 2022-23 operating budget includes a projected deficit of $29 million, which the board says is primarily due to declining enrolment resulting from the pandemic and ongoing ministry funding shortfalls in a number of areas.
Since reserve funding greater than one per cent will be used to cover the deficit, the budget is subject to approval by the Minister of Education.
The budget also includes a draft deficit elimination plan to balance the budget over the next two years, without the use of reserves.
Trustee and finance and property committee chair David Sherman said feedback from families, students and the community during the budget consultation process helped to prioritize resources and supports for some 128,000 students in 180 elementary schools and 33 secondary schools across the region.