Trustees at the Greater Essex County District School Board have approved their budget for the 2026-27 school year with a small surplus of $185,458.
Total spending for the next school year is set at $581,517,097. That's $536,323,141 for its operating costs, and another $45,193,956 for capital projects.
The board said the budget met the requirements of the Education Act and the board's multi-year financial recovery plan.
The board was required to enact a multi-year financial recovery plan after posting a $6.4-million deficit last year.
The board faces a number of budget pressures, most significantly in special education. It identifies an $11.9-million funding shortfall. There are also shortfalls in funding for supply and occasional staffing, statutory benefits, facilities, and diversity, equity, inclusion and justice efforts. In total, the board said it faced a $32.8-million shortfall in provincial funding.
Financial risks to the budget include a further drop in enrolment, which is projected to fall by 1,173 students in the next school year. Total enrolment is forecasted to be 33,526.
In total, the budget cut 113.7 full-time positions, including 57 fewer elementary school teachers, 14 fewer secondary school teachers, and 12 student support workers.
