Rainbow District School Board Approves 2011-2012 Budget

Rainbow District School Board approved a budget of approximately $169.5 million for the 2011-2012 school year at the regular Board meeting on Monday, June 20, 2011. In order to balance the budget, the Board reduced its expenditures by close to $2 million.

Like most school boards in Ontario, Rainbow District School Board continues to experience declining enrolment. Enrolment in Rainbow Schools has dropped by 2,400 students or 15 per cent since 2002-2003 due to the decrease in school age children in the community. Enrolment is projected to total 14,258 students in 2011-2012, a loss of 252.
 
“Declining enrolment means less revenue and this continues to have a significant impact on our ability to sustain programs and services at current levels,” said Rainbow District School Board Chair Tyler Campbell. “As a result, we realigned our expenditures to meet our revenue.”

He added: “We have achieved a balanced budget while continuing to invest in programs for students, such as full day, every day Junior Kindergarten. We also remain committed to the renewal of technology in the classroom and the revitalization of Rainbow Schools, providing the best programs possible in quality school facilities.”

The most significant decreases in expenditures are the closure of the Educational Media Centre, for a savings of $625,500, and a reduction in the Early Reading Intervention Program, for a savings of $940,000. The Board also achieved savings by reducing expenditures for professional learning, supplies and staff. Overall, the 2011-2012 budget represents a decrease of 64 full-time equivalent positions, including 44 full-time equivalent teachers.

Provincial funding for 2011-2012 has increased by approximately 3.5 per cent. The Province has allocated $1.2 million for Phase 2 of the new Early Learning Program, which will be fully implemented by 2014-2015. The Province has also increased funding for school renewal for a total investment of $4.8 million.
 
Provincial support declined in a number of areas. Rainbow District School Board will lose $286,000 more to operate its schools in 2011-2012. (Funding for school operations was reduced by $187,000 in the current school year.) The Province has also reduced funding for board administration, classroom computers and staff development.

A total of 78 per cent of the budget or $133 million has been allocated to salaries and benefits. Eight per cent of the budget will go towards supplies and services, nine per cent to fees and contracts, and three per cent to capital and replacement projects in the 2011-2012 school year.

Rainbow District School Board provides quality programs and character development to students in Sudbury, Espanola, Manitoulin Island and Shining Tree in 37 elementary and 9 secondary schools. The Board also operates educational programs at the Ruth MacMillan Centre, Frank Flowers School, Cecil Facer Secondary School, Cambrian College and the N’Swakamok Native Alternative School.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.