News Release
June 18, 2008
For Immediate Release
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board approves balanced budget for 2008-09
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board approved a balanced budget for 2008-09 at its meeting held last night at the Catholic Education Centre. The budget reflects the commitment of the board to balance student needs with prudent fiscal management. The budget does not include additional funding or associated expenditures related to the new provincial framework. These, along with any other funding announcements, will be included in the 2008-09 Revised Estimates later this year.
Facts and highlights of the 2008-09 budget include:
► total (operating & capital) budget of $777,969,167
► total operating expenditures of estimated $708.4 million
► salaries and benefits comprise 88.2% of the board’s total operating expenditures.
► new French Immersion pilot program
► additional Extended French classes
► permanent investment in Safe Schools initiative
► investment in school library resources
► no staff reduction
“While trustees would have liked to re-invest more significantly in the system,” said board chair, Bruno Iannicca, “trustees are well aware that resources are finite. Our challenge is to balance our limited resources with the wishes of parents, faculty, staff and trustees in providing the best possible conditions for students to achieve success in the classroom, while providing them with the tools they need to achieve success in life.”
“We recognize that the provincial funding formula is a work in progress,” said Bruno Iannicca. “However, with a $1.1 million shortfall in Special Education funding, we would also call upon the province to further close the funding gap in this critical area; an area where we continue to face pressure.”
The board’s budget consultation process is an extensive one which seeks input from parents/guardians, and the unions and associations that represent the board’s 10,000 employees. “We heard from a wide range of Catholic stakeholders and were able to address some of the items that were raised, during the consultation process,” noted Iannicca.
“Our ability to produce a balanced budget is the direct result of responsible decisions made at the board table,” said John Kostoff, director of education. “Not only is it a balanced budget, but we were able to reinvest in a number of priority areas that will directly benefit students.”
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of the largest and most diverse school boards in Ontario. It serves approximately 88,000 students in 144 schools located throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville. With over 10,000 employees, the board is also one of the largest employers in the region.
June 17/08 - Proposed 2008-09 Budget - Report to the Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
June 17/08 - Proposed 2008-09 Budget - Presentation
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For information contact:
Bruce Campbell, General Manager, Communications & Community Relations
(905) 890-0708, ext.24466 or (905) 609-1480
Gail Robinson, Superintendent of Financial Services
(905) 890-0708, ext. 24259