About the Budget

• Where does the money come from?

• Most of the funding school districts receive is attached to the average daily enrolment of students (ADE). Every student, depending on their grade and needs, receives funding to be used for salaries, supplies, technology, etc. The largest portion of ADE funding is called the Pupil Foundation Allocation and varies depending on the grade level of the student. Approximately 93% of our funding comes from provincial grants.

• Where does it go?

• Most of the money, nearly 80%, is spent on staffing costs through salaries, benefits and staff development (this spending is mostly based on collective bargaining agreements). The rest is spent on building construction, maintenance and improvements; student transportation; administration; and other costs.

• Does the budget have to be balanced or can a school board run a deficit?

• We are required to prepare a balanced budget. However, a school board is allowed to run a 1% deficit (of operating grants provided from the Ministry of Education) if it has surplus available to cover it. A separate plan must be prepared to inform the provincial government how this deficit will be eliminated.

• Is there a lot of room for trustees and staff to make changes to the budget?

• Not really. Approximately 90% of the OCDSB budget is committed, which means that the Ontario government tells us how it can be spent. This could include meeting Ministry of Education requirements in certain program areas (such as special education or Indigenous education), staffing levels and salaries (set through provincial labour negotiations), or how much can be spent on building new schools or upgrading older buildings.

  That leaves 10% of the budget able to be spent on areas recommended by OCDSB staff and trustees.

• What period of time does the budget cover?

• The budget covers a fiscal year from September 1st until August 31st.

• When does the budget need to be finalized?

• The Board of Trustees needs to approve the final budget by the end of June each year. This depends on a few key factors:

  1. Approval of academic staffing: The OCDSB must approve our annual staffing for the next academic year by the end of March. This approval represents approximately 60% of operating costs in our budget.
  2. Provincial funding announcements: Since the overwhelming majority of our funding comes from the provincial government, we are unable to finalize the staff-recommended budget until the Province announces how much money we will receive. This information typically comes in the early spring each year.
• How can I share my advice or concerns about the budget?

• Are there areas that you feel the OCDSB needs to consider when crafting the annual budget? Do you feel more investments are required or money could be better spent elsewhere?

  Share them with us using the "Share Your Feedback" tab on this page until June 3, 2024.

  For information on how to appear as a delegation at a Board or Committee meeting, visit our Delegations webpage.
  

  In addition, you can contact your trustee any time of the year to share your input.

  It is important to remember that the majority of funding in the OCDSB budget comes from the provincial government. Questions, concerns and suggestions can also be directed to your local MPP, the Minister of Education or Ontario Minister of Finance.

Programs and Priorities

• How do you determine where to spend money?

• Our decisions are guided by a few key factors:

  • Commitments in our strategic plan
  • Obligations of all collective agreements
  • Improved student learning, safety and well-being
  • Future considerations (such as potential risks or changes to the community)
  • Ministry legislation, regulations, policies and priorities.
• How does the Special Education Program receive funding?

• The Special Education Program has many different funding envelopes that must be used for that program. It cannot be used for any other purpose. Every year, the costs of the program exceed the funding model. The deficit projected for 2024 is $4 million.

• How has the funding model changed for transportation?

• Prior to 2024, the transportation funding was primarily based on a per average daily enrolment (ADE) allocation. In 2024, the model was significantly changed based on a model that provides funding based on things like vehicles, fuel prices, and local priorities. The new model reduces funding by about $17 million for 2024. The Ministry of Education is providing bridge funding until 2028 of about $14 million per year to give school districts time to review how they provide transportation and find efficiencies.

• How much of the funding provided to school districts is used on salaries and benefits?

• Generally, 80-85% of funding is spent on employee salaries and benefits. Most of these salaries are based on Ministry of Education formulas and contract agreements. There is very little funding that can be allocated toward discretionary hiring.

• How is the Extended Day (EDP) and Infant Toddler Preschool (ITP) Programs funded?

• The Ministry of Education does not provide operational funding for the EDP or ITP programs at the OCDSB. The programs are funded through external funding and parent fees.

• What is Priorities and Partnerships Funding (PPF)?

• Priorities and Partnerships Funding is special and specific funding outside the primary funding based on enrolment through the Ministry of Education. These are funds provided to districts for a variety of specific purposes (current examples would be reading and tutoring programs), and cannot be used for any other purpose not defined in the technical paper associated with the PPF. The funds must be separately accounted for to the Ministry through contracts and reporting requirements.