HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 COW Budget Final Report 28 Mar 2000I•
OTTAWA - CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE (BUDGET)
FINAL REPORT
To the Board:
Background
28 March 2000
On 9 February 2000, Director of Education and Secretary of the Board, James Grieve, and
Superintendent of Finance, Michael Clarke, presented the staff - recommended budget for the
2000 -2001 school year, based upon a three -year projection.of expected revenues, with areas
identified for reductions by the time the provincial mitigation grants end. The staff -
recommended budget included a spending reduction of $18 million, while directing $14 million
in transitional mitigation funds towards Special Education, English as a Second Language (ESL),
school renovations and continued operation of a larger number of schools than the Ministry
funds.
2. Budget Process
The budget was reviewed in Committee of the Whole (Budget). In addition to all
Trustees, the Committee included non - voting representatives of elementary and secondary
principals, vice - principals, teachers and support staff, the Special Education Advisory Committee
and the Ottawa - Carleton Assembly of School Councils.
The public participated fully in the budget process through public question period and
delegations representing special interests. The Special Education Advisory Committee made a 20
minute presentation to the Budget Committee on 20 March 2000 which included a number of
recommendations with respect to the delivery of special education programs. In addition, a large
number of written and electronic submissions were received.
The Committee met a total of 11 times, with the first meetings being information sessions.
Beginning on 20 March, the Committee debated reductions and then additions to the staff -
recommended budget and budget deliberations concluded on 28 March 2000.
During deliberations, trustees were cognizant of the fact that an approved, balanced
budget was required before the end of March in order to meet contractual obligations and to
begin the staffing process for 2000 -2001 in early April.
3. Development of Staff - Recommended Budget
In developing the budget, staff took into consideration the need to distribute the required
reductions over the next three years, while continuing efforts to convince the provincial
government to modify the funding formula. Student needs were a first priority in all budget
recommendations, as well as building capacity in accordance with the three year special
education and ESL plans, by using one -time funding to maximize opportunities for staff to
develop the skills needed to meet the challenges ahead. Staff also considered the need to bring
special education and ESL expenditures closer to the level of provincial funding as revenues
continue to decline.
4. Ministry Announcement
The 9 March 2000 Ministry announcement contained a number of changes to the
provincial grant model that had implications for the OCDSB 2000-01 budget, including:
An increase of approximately 1.95% to average salary and benefit assumptions of the
funding model, except in the Plant area;
Committee of the Whole (Budget) 1 28 March 2000
(This still resulted in a provincial model that is based on salary and benefit costs lower
than the OCDSB's actual average costs).
An estimated additional total of $2.5 million for ESL and LOG;
(offset by an equal reduction in mitigation grants)
An increase in the Special Education Per Pupil Allocation (SEPPA) of $14 per pupil;
(offset by an equal reduction in mitigation grants)
An OMERs 'claw back' of $4 million.
The effect of these announcements for the OCDSB is that the increases in the ongoing
operating grant will lower the Board's funding shortfall from $55 million to approximately $40
million, unless the Board's spending pattern changes upward or downward for 2000 -01.
However, the operating grant is increased to the extent that it will exceed the mitigation grant
guarantee in 2001 -02. The Board must now implement the new provincial funding system for
September 2001.
5. Budget Deliberations
Again this year, Committee members expressed concern regarding the impact of the
provincial funding model on the Board's ability to provide all students with a high quality
education. An area of particular concern was the reduced funding for special education and
further implementation of the new delivery model. To the extent possible, trustees attempted to
mitigate the changes for students. Trustees were also concerned that reserves were being eroded
to provide one -time funding to ease the transition to the new funding model, but felt there was
no real alternative.
During the course of deliberations, trustees approved reductions to the staff -
recommended budget in administration ($130,000) and instructional supplies and services ($1
million). The additions to the budget related to special education were $75,000 to compile and
maintain numbers of students awaiting assessment and the redeployment of recommended
special education positions to provide a continuation of the present delivery model /class
structure for one more year. An amount of $276,000 was added to support the summer program
for developmentally disabled/ autistic students and an amount of $1M was added for English as
a second language programs.
6. The 2000 -2001 Recommended Budget
Having considered and debated at length the various options available, your Committee
recommends, on a motion by Trustee Getty,
That the Ottawa - Carleton District School Board:
A. Approve the budget for 2000-01 in the amount of $510 million;
B. Approve the use of $14.0 million of Working Fund Reserves and $0.5 million of Capital
Reserves in the 2000-01 budget; and
C. Direct staff to proceed with the staffing action necessary to implement the 2000 -01
budget.
Pain Morse, Chair
Committee of the Whole (Budget)
Committee of the Whole (Budget) 2 28 March 2000