OCDSB 2021-22 Annual Budget Approved

OCDSB 2021-22 Annual Budget Approved
Posted on 06/16/2021
OCDSB 2021-22 Annual Budget Approved

At a Special Board meeting on Tuesday, June 15, Trustees approved the OCDSB 2021-22 operating budget of $1.0 billion and capital budget of $119.8 million.

The budget maintains services for students while continuing to manage the additional costs of measures designed to maintain safe and healthy schools and working environments as the effects of the pandemic continue. 

Most importantly, the budget allows for continued progress on the OCDSB commitment to building a culture of innovation, caring and social responsibility. This is achieved through investments in the following strategic priorities:

  • Staffing and services to support work in equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression, including funding for graduation coaches and student support coordinators for Indigenous, Black and 2SLGBTQ+ students
  • Student reengagement and the mental health of students and staff; 
  • Ongoing investments in technological devices to maintain the enhancements to the inventory acquired during the current year; and
  • Support for the District’s Extended Day Program (EDP) in light of the temporary reduction in rates of participation that have been experienced during the pandemic.

The budget contains previously approved adjustments in the number of teachers in response to lower enrolment, more specialized classes for students with special needs, increases to supports in Learning Support Services including additional educational assistants and additional staffing to address the ongoing behavioural and mental health issues that impact students.

The 2021-22 budget includes an expected deficit of $14.9 million, due to the combination of lower revenue (primarily due to lower enrolment projections) and increased expenses related to COVID-19. The OCDSB will seek approval from the Ministry of Education to use the board’s accumulated surplus funds to balance this deficit.

Trustee Sandra Schwartz, Committee of the Whole Budget Chair: 

“I would like to thank staff, students, parents and community partners for their contributions to the budget process. As clearly articulated through this budget, there is a desire on the part of the Board to continue to support the safety and wellbeing of all students and staff, and to address our commitment to removing bias and systemic barriers. Budget 2021-22 sets in place key investments in Indigenous education, equity and human rights that will allow the OCDSB to continue this important work.

Trustee Lynn Scott, Chair of the Board: 

“While the pandemic continues to provide challenges, we remain focused on our commitments to the community. The 2021-22 budget provides the fiscal framework to allow the OCDSB to meet the health and safety needs of staff and students, support student achievement and wellbeing, and continue to build a culture of innovation, caring and social responsibility across the district in accordance with our strategic plan.”

Highlights from 2021-22 Budget

  • Total operating budget of $1.0 billion 
  • Total capital spending authorization is $119.8 million, including $44.5 million in capital priorities (such as the building of new schools), $9.9 million in school renewal, and $50.1 million in school condition improvement.
  • 8,106.40 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, serving a projected 72,978 day school students (a decrease of 1,376 students from 2020-21). 
    • The decrease in student enrolment will result in a decrease in some educator positions, such as 144.07 FTE classroom and resource teachers and 55.36 FTE early childhood educators across the OCDSB. 
    • Staff numbers include a total of 102.20 FTE psychologists, social workers, speech language pathologists and other student professional staff (an increase of 5 FTE staff from 2020-21).
  • $135 million for special education (an increase of $3.8 million from 2020-21)
  • $5.2 million for Indigenous education - includes the addition of two student graduation coaches and a student support coordinator who are all focused on Indigenous needs
  • $224,200 for Graduation Coach Program for Black Students - This involves providing intensive, culturally-responsive support to Black students and hiring graduation coaches with connections to Black communities to act as mentors to Black students, with the assistance of school staff and Board leadership.
  • A $400,000 provision to support the District's transition from School Resource Officer (SRO) and other Ottawa Police Service (OPS) reliance, and for initiatives rooted in the ending of the SRO program related to targeted educational assistants, mental health, or other culturally appropriate resources, and/or counselling services for those impacted by previous OPS engagements

Background:

More details on the budget can be found here: https://ocdsb.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=55478&pageId=173455 

Report 21-047, 2021-22 Staff Recommended Budget (June 1, 2021)

2021-22 Staff Recommended Budget Binder (June 1, 2021)

 

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