The Near North District School Board is expecting to see more students in its schools next year.
During the budget process, the board heard that enrolment is projected to increase by 2.5 percent.
An additional 187 elementary students and 60 more secondary students are anticipated.
The board’s $171 million budget, meantime, includes a $900,000 deficit.
“There are a number of cost pressures in this year’s budget, including a new transportation funding formula, changes to the Indigenous Education allocation, and the expiry of the COVID-19 recovery fund,” states a release from the board. “Staff recommended a budget deficit, as there is reduced flexibility within the grant allocations to cover the transportation deficit, while still maintaining sufficient staffing levels to support student achievement and well-being.”
The transportation deficit is $1.65 million.
Officials also say other significant costs to the board include covering absences and maintaining facilities, due to rising utility and supply prices.
The board has also doubled its provision for contingencies to $1.9 million as it prepares for increased salary costs when agreements are finalized with multiple employee bargaining units.
***With files from Richard Coffin