Revised Budget Estimates Highlight Increase in Student Enrolment in Grand Erie

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Revised Budget Estimates Highlight Increase in Student Enrolment in Grand Erie

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14, 2022

Revised budget estimates for the 2022-23 school year are being submitted to the Ministry of Education following Monday's board meeting, and include revisions and new investments based on higher-than-expected enrolment numbers generating significant revenue.

"This increase puts Grand Erie in a much better position to make meaningful investments in staffing, resources and other supports as we work towards our collective priorities related to learning, well-being and belonging," said Susan Gibson, Chair of the Grand Erie District School Board. "It's a strong step forward as we continue to deliver caring, quality education across the region."

The updated budget revises the original 2022-23 budget approved in June 2022, with enrolment amended to reflect an additional 974 students registered as of October 31, and considers further projections of estimated enrolment numbers by the end of next March 2023. The increase means additional Grants for Student Needs revenue totalling $7.2 million.

"We are pleased to have this additional funding to directly impact individual student learning," said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. "These new investments are focused on the classroom to provide programming supports, additional staffing, tools and technology to help Grand Erie students learn, lead and inspire. My thanks to Superintendent Wyszynski and the Business Services team for their expert management of Board resources.”

Some of the new investments include:

The hiring of an additional 20 elementary teachers
The hiring of an additional 20 temporary educational assistants to meet rising needs in areas of special education
The hiring of four additional early childhood educators
$1 million for a one-time purchase of 2,500 laptops to increase the ratio of devices to students across the district
$300,000 investment to support an initiative to refresh library books
$650,000 for new resources including math manipulatives, physical education equipment and literacy resources

An additional $4.8 million in deferred revenue from the 2021-22 school year will be used to invest directly into schools to support the areas of Special Education, Indigenous Education, Specialist High Skills Major programming, Student Success and rural education funding.

The revised budget also enables a number of upgrades to school buildings and grounds under the Facility Renewal Plan. Capital projects slated for this year include updated HVAC, roofing, electrical, masonry and paving at school sites.

The full report can be found here.

Grand Erie District School Board represents more than 26,000 students in 58 elementary schools and 14 secondary schools within the City of Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk, as well as secondary students from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. With a dedicated staff of more than 2,800, Grand Erie is committed to learning, leading and inspiring.