School Board Facing Major Budget Pressures Ahead of 2023–24 Year

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) says it is confronting its most difficult budget process in years, with an estimated $4 million shortfall as it works toward a balanced budget for the 2023–2024 school year.

Board officials say changes to provincial education funding, combined with rising costs, have created significant financial strain. Superintendent of Business Services Nick Pfeiffer described the current cycle as the “toughest budget year” he can recall, noting that balancing the budget by the June 30 deadline will be especially challenging.

While the Ministry of Education has projected $213.6 million in core funding for HPEDSB, a modest one per cent increase - the board expects an additional $3 million in targeted funding for specific initiatives. Despite this, several pressures remain unresolved.

Key challenges include the elimination of COVID-19 funding, which previously supported more than 27 staff positions, including mental health workers. Other pressures stem from temporary funding programs ending, changes to Indigenous education funding, a new student transportation funding model, and continued inflation, which is affecting transportation, building operations, and supplies.

The board also highlighted ongoing issues with supply staff funding, which continues to fall short of actual costs for replacing absent employees.

HPEDSB staff are currently incorporating the funding details into a draft budget, with further revisions expected in May. A final balanced budget is anticipated to be presented to trustees in early June.