The York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) has approved an operating budget of $607.5 million for the 2020-21 school year.
The budget has increased by 3.3 per cent, or $19.6 million, from the 2019-20 budget, and includes an $800,000 reduction in departmental expenses, according to a board spokesperson.
The document also identifies potential financial stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including travel and quarantine restrictions that could negatively affect international students studying in Canada, expenses related to the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and increased cleaning and sanitizing costs.
The budget supports the YCDSB’s multi-year strategic plan, and was informed by the Ministry of Education’s funding model, and community/family/stakeholder engagement, a news release stated.
Highlights include:
- Science, technology, religion, engineering, arts and mathematics (STREAM) centres of excellence will be developed in selected schools and accessible to all students from FDK to 12 to enhance the board’s ability to equip students with a diverse set of 21st-century skills and ways of thinking, applying and solving the problems faced as global Catholic disciples;
- Five additional high school chaplains to promote Catholic faith and mental health and well-being of students;
- An additional $175,500 to support the YCDSB’s Human Rights and Equity Office and the work of the Human Rights, Equity, Inclusion & Diversity Advisory Committee;
- Increased school financial audits in support of the effective use of resources strategic commitment.
“On behalf of the board of trustees, I am pleased the 2020-2021 budget allows us to reinvest in initiatives that will improve student success and well-being and be fiscally prudent with the public money entrusted to our board. The board is also pleased that the announcement from the minister of education included funding to address some of our additional financial pressures,” said Maria Marchese, chair of the board of trustees.
"This comprehensive budget will help guide us into another successful, yet unique, school year, as we continue our mission to educate and inspire all students to reach their full potential in a safe and caring environment," she added.
