Media Release: Grand Erie's 2022-23 Balanced School-Year Budget Approved

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Grand Erie's 2022-23 Balanced School-Year Budget Approved

Brantford, Ont. – Grand Erie District School Board approved its 2022-23 operating and capital budgets during the Regular Board meeting on Monday, June 27. Both budgets will now be submitted to the Ministry of Education.

"The preparation of the 2022-23 budget began in January, and concluded with Senior Administration developing a budget that focuses on our priorities of learning, well-being and belonging," said Rafal Wyszynski, Superintendent of Business and Treasurer. "It has also incorporated a significant investment from the Ministry of Education to assist Grand Erie with its planning for the upcoming school year, including an increase in many allocations as a direct result of enrolment growth across the district."

As a result of increased revenues, Grand Erie's operating budget is approximately $355 million, up $16.6 million from last year's operating budget. This allows for key investments such as increased classroom supports, additional instructional coaches, literacy positions, and significant increases to professional development for staff as well as attention to staff and student mental health and well-being.

"On behalf of Trustees, I am proud to approve this balanced budget," said Susan Gibson, Chair of the Board of Trustees. "These investments are essential to support students and the system as we build on the lessons learned over the past two years and work towards new goals in learning, well-being and belonging. The budget lays out a strong path of investment in our schools and students, while maintaining financial flexibility to respond to what may come in the year ahead."

Total projected student enrollment is expected to be 25,860, up approximately 364 from the 2021-22 school year. The capital budget has $26 million allocated for investments into buildings, renovations, upgrades and repairs.

"The budget reflects our goals of improving math and literacy outcomes, increasing graduation rates, supporting Indigenous Education and creating healthy, welcoming spaces for all students, in line with our multi-year strategic plan," said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. "I want to thank Superintendent Wyszynski for his leadership through this process, as well as the Business Services team, Senior Administration, Trustees and staff who have come together over the past months to complete and deliver a balanced, thoughtful and progressive budget,"

Budget highlights include:

Increase of 59 positions across the system including a Principal Leader, Mental Health Education; Principal Leader, Safe and Inclusive Schools; an Indigenous teacher consultant; an additional social worker; and teaching positions supporting rural schools, eLearning, co-op and inclusions/disabilities
13 additional educational assistants
Hiring of four Indigenous Cultural Mentor Graduation Coaches
$3.9 million allocated to COVID-19 recovery plan including hiring a K-12 Literacy Lead, online learning support, hiring of seven instructional coaches, and five additional custodial staff
$491,000 to support broadband network operations
$185,000 towards additional HEPA filters for classrooms

The fiscal year for Ontario school boards runs from September 1 to August 31.

The Grand Erie Budget 2022-23 document can be found online here.

Grand Erie District School Board represents more than 25,000 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 students from Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. With a dedicated staff of more than 2,500, Grand Erie is committed to learning, leading and inspiring.