Not only did the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board balance its budget for the upcoming school year, which starts in September, but it also increased spending on mental health and special education.
Trustees officially passed the $348.6-million budget on Tuesday night.
That's an increase of $26.4-million over the 2024-25 school year.
Instead of relying on its accumulated surplus, the budget funds expenditures with in-year grant revenues, which went up by $28.7-million.
The budget also projects a surplus of $36.3-million at the end of the school year, over $16-million of which will be available for the board to use.
Enrollment is projected to increase to 22,925 this year, an increase of 780 students from the 2024-25 school year. Because of that uptick, the board has funded an increase of 60 full-time teaching positions and 36 full-time non-teaching staff.
Another $6.1-million will go towards special education for a total expenditure of $ 46 million, and $ 1.65 million will support mental health programs.
"This budget is a reflection of both our commitment to our students and to being fiscally responsible stewards of the resources we are entrusted with," said Director of Education Emelda Byrne.