Ontario’s education minister has highlighted financial struggles at several school boards, but recent estimates show nearly two-thirds of the province’s 72 boards are projecting deficits or barely breaking even for the 2025-26 school year.
Summer filings indicate 25 boards approved deficit budgets while 19 managed to balance after making difficult cuts. Surpluses among the remaining 28 boards are small, mostly under $500,000. Rising costs for special education, staff pay increases, mandatory benefits and CPP contributions are straining budgets.
Renfrew County District School Board planned a $450,000 deficit to upgrade trades equipment and implement staff wellness initiatives. Director Kristen Niemi noted that smaller rural boards face particular pressures despite stable enrolment and reserves.
(Richard Evans)
