A tale of two school board budgets
Staff reductions are included in a deficit budget approved by the Near North District School Board.
The shortfall on the $197 million budget comes in at over $1.6 million.
However, combined with in-year supervisor savings of nearly $470,000 officials say it brings the deficit into compliance with the Ministry of Education, at nearly $1.2 million.
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Items of note include a slight (0.84%) increase in projected enrolment, a 1.7% rise in budgeted revenues, and a slight dip (0.1%) in expenditures.
The board says 70% of the expenditures are comprised of salaries and benefits.
To that end, projected full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing has decreased by 27 FTE positions.
While a projected increase in kindergarten enrolment resulted in five additional Early Childhood Educator positions, teaching FTE was reduced by approximately 22.
Officials say that’s due to updated staffing formulas to align with funded staffing and fewer classrooms, alongside school consolidations, with reductions offset by attrition.
Deficits of note include the special education budget of just over $1 million, while there’s a $1.64 million shortfall in transportation.
At the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC), a balanced budget was approved for the next school year.
Officials say the over $70 million fiscal plan supports key areas including core academic skills, preparing students for future success, student engagement and well-being, Catholic faith formation, and Indigenous education.
They say the 2026-27 budget includes a 1.97% increase in revenues over this past school year and reflects a projected overall enrolment increase of approximately 1%.
“This budget allows us to continue making meaningful investments in our students through rich programs and opportunities while maintaining fiscal responsibility, sound stewardship, and strong governance both now and into the future,” says Shawn Fitzsimmons, Chair of the Board.
Some of the investment highlights include:
– Continued emphasis on core academic areas such as literacy, early reading screening, and mathematics support in all schools.
– Expanded experiential learning opportunities in the skilled trades for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12.
– Enhanced technological education offerings at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall, including a robotics program.
– A new Specialist High Skills Major program offering in Health and Wellness at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall.
– Ongoing mental health and well-being supports and services in all schools.
– Continued specialty program offerings for all intermediate students, including Instrumental Music, Innovation Design and Technology, and Home Economics.
– Increased special education staffing levels
– Professional development support involving the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and the development of key AI literacy skills to support success in education.
– A new partnership with Canadore College through the Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin program, creating dual credit opportunities and expanding access to culturally rooted experiential learning supported by Elders, ceremony, language, and Indigenous mentors
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
