Work is underway on the Greater Essex County District School Board's 2018-19 budget.
Although it's in the early stages, Director of Education Erin Kelly says they're expecting a favourable budget similar to last year's.
The board wrapped up the 2016-17 school year with a $16-million surplus while reducing its capital deficit by $9.1-million.
Kelly says increasing special education needs and aging infrastructure remain two of the board's major challenges.
"Of course special education and of course there's always collective agreement restrictions and, yes, our buildings sometimes become a challenge. Although we've been very successful in getting money. So that will help us out and we're optimistic about that. It's put us in a better position."
She says numbers will become clearer when enrollment projections come in in April.
"That's waiting until the spring and of course, always, we have to verify our numbers in the fall. So that's a time out, but we do begin planning and making projections certainly in April, May, June period. We're in a good financial position this year and we hope to be in the upcoming year."
Kelly says there's not a lot of room to move as 80% of the budget is made up of salaries and benefits.
"The ministry provides money for us for particular purposes and we use that money for particular purposes. We are very restricted in that manner, but as we get ourselves into better position around our capital deficit we'll be able to do more things and we're optimistic about that given our enrollment and given our international students, that also will help."
A draft budget will be presented to the board in April with the final document to be passed in June.
Public consultations will take place in April and May.