Funding Problems A Serious Issue for School Boards

The recent provincially directed investigation of finances at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, has produced a report that highlights serious problems in the education funding formula.
The report concurs with the position of OCSTA regarding funding formula inadequacies and the need to update funding benchmarks. These are most certainly significant factors contributing to the difficulties faced by Dufferin-Peel and many other school boards.
“The problems we see in the Dufferin-Peel CDSB may well be repeated across the province if the funding formula is not updated to acknowledge current costs incurred by school boards,” said OCSTA President, Paul Whitehead.
“We look to the Ministry and the government to address the inadequacies in the funding model that are impacting all boards. Without such changes, other school boards may well find themselves having to reduce local services or programs,” added Whitehead.
In recent briefs to the government the Association has raised serious concerns about the impact of outdated funding benchmarks on school board budgets. This situation creates significant funding shortfalls particularly in the areas of employee compensation, transportation and special education. OCSTA has consistently advocated for an annual review process that would update benchmarks to reflect the actual costs incurred by school boards.
OCSTA looks forward to working with the new Minister of Education, The Hon. Sandra Pupatello, to find cooperative solutions to these critical issues.