An anticipated reduction in provincial funding will “pose some challenges” for the Halton Catholic District School Board as its 2015-16 budget deliberations get underway.
The province is expected to decrease its educational budget by up to two per cent over the next couple of years, in an effort to balance the books by 2017-18.
A one percent decrease in the HCDSB’s provincial allocation would result in a decrease of $3.1 million annually, according to a report presented at a regular meeting of the school board Tuesday evening.
“The 2015-16 budget process will certainly pose some challenges, especially given the likelihood of reduced education funding, as identified in the ministry’s 2015-16 Education Funding Consultation Guide,” commented HCDSB chair Jane Michael.
“We will work with senior staff to analyse the identified challenges, and will continue to find ways to manage our resources, never losing sight of our ongoing focus on supporting the needs of our students. We are fortunate in Halton to be in a growth position, and are hopeful that additional enrolment will partly offset the expected reduction in funding.”
Once ministry grants are released by the end of March, budget information sessions begin with trustees, staff and the public before the budget is brought before the board for approval in June.
Consultations between the ministry and school board officials, as well as teacher federations and student groups were held in the fall in an effort to identify efficiencies, make better use of school space, strengthen community partnerships and potential shared savings.
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