The Rainy River District School Board will spend almost $64 million on the education of its students in the next school year.
That is an increase of more than $3.7 million but also reflects an increase in provincial funding by almost the same amount.
No money is being drawn out of the Board’s surplus.
The budget reflects an expected decrease in enrolment of about 40 students.
Staffing at the elementary level is down by almost 1.5 full-time positions whereas high school staffing will increase by one FTE (full-time equivalent).
Superintendent of Business Megan Cox says there are additional supports for students included in the budget.
“We have budgeted for additional intervention support. So, our priority math schools, literacy interventions, all of those pieces,” says Cox.
The budget reflects increases in Educational Support Personnel (ESPs) and Autism Support Workers.
The Board will also contract out for a Behavioural Therapist while continuing a hybrid model for the delivery of speech-language
supports.
There is also continued funding for mental health supports at all schools and grad coaches at Rainy River and Fort Frances High Schools.
Some additional funding has been put in place for field trips and high school sports to reflect rising costs.
An investment of $145,000 is being made toward school nutrition programs, with another $36,500 available to schools to support students with other needs such as clothing, personal care items, or extracurricular supports.
Approximately 70% of the budget is connected to salaries and benefits.
Cox says it could change with labour arbitration awards.
“In this budget, specifically, the arbitration award that was just awarded with respect to the teacher contracts is not reflected. What is reflected is a 1.25% increase based on ministry direction. So going forward, we’ll adjust for the arbitration decision with a change in the benchmarks and then our corresponding expenditures,” says Cox.
The budget now goes to the Ministry of Education for final approval.
