The cost of student transportation is causing some financial challenges for the St Clair Catholic District School Board.
The $130,998,620 budget for the 2023-24 school year, passed by the Board of Trustees last night, includes a deficit for compliance of $664,636, primarily due to a funding shortfall in transportation.
Board officials say that while transportation funding has not been reduced, the Ministry has introduced a new funding formula which does not completely align to the costs of providing transportation services for this region.
CLASS Transportation Services, a consortium operated jointly with the Lambton Kent District School Board, will continue to collaborate with both school boards to analyze the extent of the difference and develop strategies to achieve a balanced transportation budget in future years.
“Other fluctuating budget items that are monitored rigorously include staff replacement costs and costs impacted by inflation, such as maintenance of facilities, due rising utility and commodity prices,” says Amy Janssens, Associate Director – Corporate Services & Treasurer.
Other highlights of the 23-24 budget include the continuation of a three-year mental health and addictions strategy, support for at-risk students for graduation; and having Board-owned devices and strong connections to the broadband network for every student and classroom educator.
The board’s budget will now be sent on to the Ministry of Education for approval.
