Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Trustees today, sitting as the Budget Committee, began reviewing a proposed budget for the next school year. The proposed budget is balanced and compliant with all Ministry of Education requirements.
“The Board’s strategic plan establishes long-term priorities for students, staff and the communities we serve. The proposed, balanced budget brought forward by administration reflects those priorities and works to sustain strong learning foundations for students, to support students and staff in their well-being and belonging at school, and to enrich our communities,” says Paul Brown, Chairperson, Budget Committee. “As we review this balanced budget our focus will remain, as always, to support the success and wellness of our students.”
The budget was developed based on the priorities set out within the Board’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan – Inspiring Excellence in Learning, Success in Life and Community.
“Our strategic plan identifies key priorities for our schools and school board, and guides our planning and decision-making, including how we allocate our budget,” says Brown. “As we work toward a balanced budget for next year, we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that the dollars we have are directed to where they are needed most – our classrooms.”
2025/2026 Preliminary Operating Budget
As part of the budget process, Trustees began the review of administration’s proposed balanced budget for the next school year of $549,127,887, and Capital Budget in the amount of $46,398,243.
“Throughout all our budget considerations, we balance support for services and programs that we believe are crucial for student success with our obligations to always be responsible and prudent financial managers,” says Brown.
“We have been diligently focused on identifying efficiencies and adjustments as we developed this balanced budget for consideration by the Board,” says Rita Russo, Director of Education. “Our approach in identifying efficiencies remains, and will continue to remain, first and foremost, on reducing costs across operational budget lines.”
In addition to operational efficiencies, as part of developing the proposed budget, administration has also had to consider staffing adjustments across all employee groups.
“Staffing adjustments are driven largely by enrolment, but also by seeking efficiencies of operations where we can. In considering changes, we look to reduce the impact of adjustments by absorbing positions through retirements and/or resignations wherever possible. We have vacant positions this time of year across all employee groups, both unionized and non-unionized and including the senior administrative team, which we will not be filling.”
The Budget Committee will continue its discussion of the proposed operating budget at its next meeting.
Enrolment and Revenue for 2025-2026
Administration reviewed enrolment expectations for the 2025-2026 school year, along with Ministry funding allocations, with the Board’s Budget Committee.
Board revenues are determined provincially based on elementary and secondary student enrolment.
Total board enrolment for 2025-2026 is expected to be 35,386 students.
2024-2025 In-Year Deficit
This evening staff also shared with the committee that administration has received Ministry of Education approval of plans to address the current in-year deficit of $16M. Staff outlined for the Budget Committee five key contributors to the current deficit position, which include: a beginning compliance budget position for 2024/2025 (the Ministry of Education allows school boards to have a maximum deficit of 1% of their operating revenue. For KPR, this amount for the 2024-2025 year was approximately $4.3M); increased transportation contract costs; employee absentee costs: WSIB costs; and lower than expected enrolment projections.
The 2024-2025 in-year deficit will be supported through the use of reserve funds.
The Budget Committee will continue its discussion of the proposed operating budget at its next meeting.
Budget Committee Meeting Dates
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Budget information is available at: www.kprschools.ca
Author: Pete Fisher
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