Enrolment is expected to be up at the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) next school year.
With 136 new students, enrolment is projected to be nearly 9500.
The Board approved a nearly $161 million budget at their Tuesday night meeting.
Expenditures are just over $161 million resulting in a projected deficit of $417,000.
That amounts to 0.3 percent of the budget.
Officials say COVID has significantly impacted revenue and expenses, with the Ministry of Education allowing boards to access previous years’ surpluses to assist with the current budget.
They also say the budget has been prepared with the knowledge there will be support for remote learning in the fall, but there was not enough information to determine the number of students registered with the remote school.
The board says there will be further Priorities and Partnership Funds (PPF) announced in the coming weeks which may reduce the deficit.
Jay Aspin, NNDSB Chair, says it’s been a remarkable year that has moved the board forward “considerably despite being challenged by extremely difficult conditions.”
“This board has overseen the consolidation of three high schools into two and put final touches on the consolidation of three elementary schools into one in North Bay, as well as the consolidation of two elementary schools with a high school to form a K-12 school in the Parry Sound area,” he says.
“The completion of a Multi-Year Strategic Plan will focus resources on student achievement and well-being over the next five years. […] All these accomplishments have been achieved with a small deficit due to the dedication and hard work of all members of the Near North board.”