The Greater Essex County District School Board has its spending plan ready for 2022-23.
During a special meeting Monday night, board trustees approved a budget that includes a projected total cost of $558.6-million. The operating portion of the budget makes up $486.6-million, with capital projects accounting for the rest.
The ongoing fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic is still very much a part of the board's spending plan. The Ontario Ministry of Education has provided the board with a $5.19-million grant for COVID-19 learning recovery toward hiring additional teachers and educational assistants. The plan was built on the expectation of schools being open for the entire school, and the grant carried a condition that the board offer remote learning for next year.
"This support aims to meeting staffing needs for school boards so that schools can deliver stability for students and families," read the draft budget. "This time-limited fund is known as the COVID-19 Learning Recovery Fund and replaces the staffing portion previously provided under the 2021-22 COVID-19 PPF Supports; a total of $2,600,000 was budgeted in 2021-22 representing 50 per cent of the support. Therefore, budget to budget, this represents an increase in funding of $2.6 million."
There was a cut of about $1-million in COVID-19-related expenses. However, there have been increases in funding for mental health initiatives. Base funding has been increased to $301,723 per school board, with spending per pupil increasing to $6.67.
Diversity was also figured into funding increases. The budget will provide support for a "coach" to help increase the graduation and academic excellence rate for Black students. Positions were also added for employees supporting Indigenous and LGBTQ+ students.
As always, projected enrollment is a baseline for the costs. The average daily enrollment (ADE) for elementary students is down by 156 students for the coming year. On the secondary side, it's down by nine. The vast majority of the enrollment loss is in grades four through eight. The board said enrollment has not returned to levels seen before the pandemic.
The board must now submit the budget to the Ministry for approval no later than June 30. It will take effect on September 1.
The entire budget document can be read on the board's official website.
