OCDSB Passes 731.1 Million Dollar Balanced 2010 - 2011 Budget

June 22, 2010 Ottawa, ON – The Ottawa Carleton District School Board of Trustees has approved a 731.1 million dollar balanced budget for the 2010 - 2011 school year.

“This budget is a community document developed as a result of extensive consultation, input, deliberation, debate, and discussion”, said Budget Committee Chair, Riley Brockington. Mr. Brockington added that, “Members of the Budget Committee worked with the staff to review the staff recommended budget and invested time in reviewing the feedback received from our community. Working together, we developed a budget that continues to promote excellence in public education for all of our students.”

The approved 2010-2011 budget maintains funding for our Multicultural Liaison Officer Program, programming for English Language Learners and provides additional funding for all school budgets to be distributed based on student enrolment.

Director of Education Lyall Thomson said, “The approved budget is fully integrated with the District’s four-year strategic plan and reflects the priorities developed by the Board, staff, and community. Under this plan, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has improved student achievement results, invested in leadership, diversity and equity and has restructured programs and services to better meet the learning needs of our students.”

In the approved budget, the Board reduced expenditures, created opportunities to increase revenues, and continues funding for key strategic priorities. Cathy Curry, Chair of the Board said “A budget, approved unanimously by the Board, in a year of considerable economic challenge is an significant accomplishment. With this budget, we can be confident that we are heading into the next school year with the resources in place to meet the needs of our students."

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board provides quality education to nearly 65,000 full and part-time students from junior kindergarten to grade 12, including adult learners enrolled at our Adult High School and Continuing Education programs. We currently operate 117 elementary and 25 secondary schools, as well as a number of specialized education centres and programs.

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For more information or interview requests with Chair, Cathy Curry please contact: Sharlene Hunter Communications Officer at 613-596-8264.

Click here for a summary of budget decisions