HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.2 Committee of the Whole, Budget Report, 11 December 2023
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, BUDGET REPORT
Monday, December 11, 2023
7:00 pm
Board Room
Administration Building
133 Greenbank Road
Ottawa, Ontario
Trustees Present: Alysha Aziz (electronic communication), Justine Bell (electronic
communication), Donna Blackburn (electronic communication),
Donna Dickson, Lyra Evans, Jennifer Jennekens, Matthew Lee
(electronic communication), Cathryne Milburn, Suzanne Nash,
Lynn Scott, Emma Hong (Student Trustee, electronic
communication)
Staff Present: Pino Buffone (Director of Education), Brett Reynolds (Associate
Director of Education), Randy Gerrior (Associate Director of
Business Operations), James Proulx (Executive Officer of
Information Technology and Digital Transformation), Michèle
Giroux (Executive Officer of Corporate Services), Paula Hall
(Superintendent of People, Culture and Leadership), Shawn
Lehman (Superintendent of Instruction), Teri Adamthwaite
(General Manager, Finance), Stacey Kay (General Manager,
Learning Support Services), Sandy Owens (General Manager,
Business & Learning Technology), Diane Pernari (General
Manager, Communications & Public Relations), Nicole Guthrie
(General Manager, Board Services), Michael Guilbault
(Multimedia Coordinator, Communications), Susan Baker
(Committee Coordinator)
Non-Voting
Representatives
Present:
Claudine Santos (PIC), Stephanie Kirkey (OSSTF - District 25),
Philip Battison (OSSTF - District 25), Jennifer Capitani
(OCSSAN), Tracy Shapiro (OCSSAN), Monique Manatch (IEC),
Bronwyn Funiciello (SEAC), Corine Lassaline (OSSTF-
PECCS/PSSP), Susan Gardner (OCETF), Susan Rab (OSSTF-
OT)
1. Call to Order - Chair of Committee of the Whole, Budget
Chair Lyra Evans called the public session to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Acknowledgement of Territorial Lands
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Chair Lyra Evans acknowledged that the meeting is taking place on unceded
Algonquin Homelands and thanked the Algonquin Nations for hosting the
meeting on their land.
3. Approval of Agenda
Moved by Trustee Milburn,
THAT the agenda be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were filed.
5. Delegations
There were no delegations.
5.1 Gina Bernard, OCV
Gina Bernard spoke about the importance of the Ottawa-Carleton Virtual
Elementary School (OCV Elementary) to its families. A recent survey of
OCV families generated 59 responses that included a variety of reasons
for choosing virtual learning including, health or learning conce rns,
excellent teachers, development of computer and technological skills,
quiet learning environment, and exposure to a variety of programs. She
noted that the temporary nature of OVC Elementary is stressful and
impacts decisions that families are making with respect to work and
housing. Ms. Bernard asked the Board to give the OCV Elementary a
permanent place in the District.
In response to queries, Ms. Benard noted that 85% of the 59 families who
responded to the survey indicated they would home school th eir children
or switch to another school board if the District does not continue to offer
virtual school. She added that it would be helpful for parents to have a
central contact person to advocate for the continuation of OCV
Elementary.
5.2 John Deslauriers-Snelgrove, OCV
John Deslauriers-Snelgrove and Cenia Elzanowska spoke about their
reasons for attending OCV Elementary including the need to take COVID -
19 precautions, accommodations for their physical and learning
disabilities, and the ability to easily share written information. They
requested that the OVC Elementary continue to be funded and remain as
a permanent school.
6. Discussion Items
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6.1 2024-2025 Budget Process and Overview (oral)
Associate Director Gerrior presented an overview of the 2024-2025
Budget Process and highlighted the following:
Ministry of Education (MOE) funding includes Grants for Student
Needs (GSNs) including the following:
o Pupil Foundation Grant for classroom staffing and supplies -
2023-2024 estimate is $446.5 million;
o School Foundation Grant for principals, vice-principals, school
office support staff and supplies estimate for 2023-2024 is $58
million;
o Special Purpose Grant for special education, teacher
qualification allocation, language allocation, learning
opportunities allocation, and Indigenous education allocation -
2023-2024 estimate is $264 million;
o Capital Priorities Grant for new schools, renovations, portables
and school condition improvement 2023-2024 estimate is
$119.8 million;
o Special Project Funding allocated for specific programs or
projects - 2023-2024 estimate is $10.8 million;
Approximately 79.9% of the funding is used for salaries, benefits
and staff development;
Total Average Daily Enrolment (ADE) for 2023-2024 is 78,026
students;
Board budgeting principles are consistent with the Board's strategic
plan, reflects obligations of collective agreements, focuses on
improved student learning and well-being, ensures schools are
safe, and meets Ministry legislation, regulations, policies, and
priorities;
The Ministry releases its GSN funding formulas between March
and May, and the Board-approved budget must be submitted by
the end of June;
Financial planning pressures include occasional teacher (OT)
replacement costs, special education programs, transportation,
portables, facilities (snow removal, utilities, cleaning), and inflation;
and
Next steps include comprehensive reviews of District programs,
transportation, and accommodation.
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During discussion, and in response to queries, the following points were
noted:
The program review will commence this year with a focus on
elementary programs and will include consultation with staff,
trustees and advisory committees. The priorities of equity, student
achievement, and well-being for staff and students will be
considered throughout the review period;
The program, transportation, and accommodation reviews will not
be completed in 2023-2024;
With respect to accommodation reviews, the District is not
proposing the disposal of any sites at this time. As well, the Ministry
of Education has imposed a moratorium on accommodation
reviews;
The accommodation review cannot commence until the program
and transportation reviews are completed;
The budget estimate for teacher salaries is based on their teaching
qualifications and projected student enrolment. The revised
estimates are based on actual enrolment and completion of the
staffing process in the fall;
Staff will provide a question and answer document (Q&A) during
the formal budget process in the spring, after receiving Ministry
grant information and the District has an understanding of the
impact of cost drivers in the current year;
Trustee Bell requested that the Q&A reflect questions from the
Committee regarding the impact of budget investments or savings
on students; and
There are areas of risk in every budget, for example, the occasional
teacher and educational assistant replacement costs, utility cost
increases, and snow removal.
1. 2022-2023 Financials Results
Associate Director Gerrior noted that the 2022-2023 financial
results were presented to the Audit Committee on 27 November
2023 and approved by the Board on 28 November 2023. He noted
that the District has maintained regulatory compliance despite the
rising costs in areas beyond the District's control.
2. 2023-2024 Revised Estimates
The Revised Estimates will be submitted to the Ministry of
Education by 15 December 2023. Associate Director Gerrior noted
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that while the District did not realize the growth in student
enrolment that was projected in the budget, overall enrolment did
not decline. The District will still need to look for savings of
approximately $500,000 in the current year to avoid a deficit in
2023-2024.
3. Financial Analysis of Priority Areas
During discussion of the financial analysis of priority areas
recommended by the Committee of the Whole at its meeting of 5
December 2023, and in response to queries, the following points
were noted:
Associate Director Gerrior noted that Finance staff would
work with the Committee of the Whole Budget and the
Advocacy Committee to ensure consistent messaging. He
noted the difficulty of analysing the District's needs based on
current student enrolment rather than future enrolment which
is unknown at this time;
The District was able to cover a projected deficit of
approximately $9 million in the 2023-2024 budget by using
its accumulated surplus which is no longer available for
2024-2025. The District is required to rebuild the
accumulated surplus and approve a balanced budget for
next year;
Finance has not yet received a list of areas from which
trustees would like to see potential reductions;
When determining the number of classes required for
students with special education needs, Learning Support
Services considers trends over time when forecasting
staffing requirements. The number of classes may be
adjusted when enrolment is finalized in the Fall; and
Staff will present a staff-recommended budget to the
Committee of the W hole (COW) Budget in the spring and
non-voting representatives may bring their group's concerns
to the COW Budget for discussion and possible
amendments.
7. New Business - Information and Inquiries
There was no new business.
8. Budget TImeline
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The Committee of the Whole Budget meeting dates were provided for
information.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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Lyra Evans, Chair