Going against recent trends, the public school board is seeing a jump in enrolment — helping to balance the budget
An influx of 700 new students at the public school board in Windsor-Essex — and the provincial grant money that follows — is being credited for a balanced budget.
The increase in enrolment saw Greater Essex County District School Board trustees approve a $534-million budget including over $75-million in capital spending for the upcoming school year.
Superintendent of Business Cathy Lynd says spending increases will see 54 new elementary teachers and 12 new secondary teachers hired for the 2018-19 school year. There will also be 29 Educational Assistants added for next year alongside 8 guidance teachers for grades 7 and 8 students as well as 4.5 social worker positions at the board.
Board chairperson Kim McKinley is happy to see the books in the black.
"Always thrilled to have a balanced budget. That's good news for our board, for our students," says McKinley.
Lynd says the increase in enrolment bucks the trend of struggling enrolment numbers as of late.
"In the past it's been a declining enrolment and now we're very happy that we're seeing an increase," says Lynd, adding it's a big help to see enrolment trending upwards. "What we're finding is a lot more students are registering late in September and just showing up as opposed to registering early."
McKinley hopes the balanced books send a good message to parents considering where to enrol their kids in school.
"I would encourage any family to be apart of our board," says McKinley. "We try to do great things for our students and having a balanced budget enables us to do a little more that way."
The enrolment increase is split between 482 new elementary students and 217.5 secondary students.