News Release
June 18, 2009
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board approves balanced
budget for 2009-10
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board approved a balanced budget for 2009-10 at a special meeting held June 16, 2009 at the Catholic Education Centre. The budget reflects the commitment of the board to balance student needs with prudent fiscal management. The budget aligns with the board’s System Direction and the Ministry of Education’s objectives for student achievement. It also enhances the board’s ability to execute the Board Plan to Improve Student Achievement.
Facts and highlights of the 2009-10 budget include:
► total (operating & capital) budget of $828,767,929;
► salaries and benefits comprise 89% of the board’s total operating expenditures;
► Includes reductions in expenditures for textbooks, computers and staff development as a result of constraint measures in the Ministry funding;
► Reflects a 3.9% increase in grants over 2008-09;
► Includes provision for funding of Provincial Framework Agreements
“While the board would have liked to re-invest more significantly in the system,” said board chair, Mario Pascucci, “trustees are well aware that resources are finite. Our challenge is always to balance our limited resources with the wishes of parents/guardians, 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.”
Added Mario Pascucci, “Trustees are committed to a transparent budget process that allows for stakeholder input and ensures that the board adheres to sound fiscal management of its resources.”
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 John Kostoff, director of education. “Our ability to produce a balanced budget is the direct result of responsible decisions made at the board table. Our bottom line is to maximize student achievement in a fiscally responsible manner. I believe this budget is right on target, in this regard.”
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.
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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