At its June 20 Board meeting, York Region District School Board approved the 2023-24 operating budget of $1.6 billion.
The 2023-2024 budget prioritizes supports for student achievement and well-being and aligns with Board priorities. It also reflects priorities and feedback shared through public survey results and advisory committees, including a focus on early literacy support, supports for students with special education needs, destreaming and mental health.
In alignment with the Board's commitment to maintaining current program and service standards, the 2023-24 budget includes a projected deficit of $12.9 million, which reflects a reduction compared to the prior year's budget. To achieve a balanced operating budget for the upcoming school year and comply with the Ministry of Education requirements, the budget incorporates a moderate use of reserves.
"I want to thank staff, trustees and community who supported this important process in developing our 2023-2024 budget, centering student achievement and well-being as our core mandate,” said Chair of the Board Ron Lynn. “The budget reflects an alignment with our priorities as a school board, the feedback we heard from our school community and our commitment to offer high quality education."
“We want to thank everyone who shared their feedback through our budget consultation process,” said Trustee and Finance and Property Committee Chair Cindy Liang. “The feedback from our community helped to inform the budget process and decision-making to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our students and families.”
Highlights of the budget include:
- $1.6 million to hire permanent staff, including social workers, psychological and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists to address the diverse needs of students who require special education supports.
- Using carried over revenue from the previous year to continue supporting Indigenous education programs.
- Allocations to support Empower and Primary Literacy Teachers to assist students with early literacy; and Destreaming Coaches to support the transition of elementary school students into secondary school and provide assistance to secondary school students in destreamed classes, including mathematics.
- Allocation of 33 Special Education Resource Teachers (SERTs) to assist students with special education needs in their successful transition to fully integrated classrooms.
- $600,000 toward staffing and resources to support multiple language learners.
“The 2023-2024 budget includes important investments in programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of our learners,” said Associate Director and Chief Financial Officer Vidyia Maharaj. “Our budget process reflects our commitment as an organization to model ethical leadership, listen to the voices in our community and be transparent and fiscally responsible.”
“Thank you to everyone who provided feedback through our budget consultations and who supported this process to develop a budget that is aligned with our priorities and commitment to deliver programs and services to support students and their families,” said Scott Yake, Director of Education (Interim).