The Ottawa Catholic School Board will hire 79 new teachers to accommodate a boost in students and to provide early literacy and mathematics support for students for the next school year. Trustees approved the $833 million budget for the 2026-27 school year on Tuesday night, with a 3.7 per cent increase in spending from the 2025-26 school year. The Catholic school board projects enrolment of 54,153 students next school year, up 2.8 per cent from the current school year. Officials say the budget includes 84 additional full-time equivalent positions, including 79 classroom teacher positions. Of the new positions, there will be 20 targeted teaching positions “providing early literacy and mathematics support” for students, according to the board. “Classroom spending will increase by $1.3 million, or 3.6 per cent, due to additional funding for classroom supplies going directly to eligible elementary teachers,” the board said. “This also includes continuation of the multi-year initiatives funded through reserves mentioned above.” The board says 80.6 per cent of the board’s budget will cover salaries and benefits. “This budget strengthens the programs, supports and opportunities that students rely on every day,” Mary Donaghy, chief executive officer of the Ottawa Catholic School Board, said in a statement. “Whether that means additional help in our faith-filled classrooms, opportunities to explore the skilled trades, or learning in environments where they feel welcomed and included, our focus remains on ensuring students have what they need to learn, grow and prepare for the future. A significant portion of these investments is directed toward early intervention in literacy and mathematics, ensuring students receive targeted support before learning gaps become barriers to success.” The transportation budget will increase by $3 million next school year due to ridership growth and higher public transit and school bus costs, according to staff. The Ottawa Catholic School Board will spend $40.9 million on transportation next school year. Trustees approved dipping into reserves to spend $7.4 million on “student needs/priorities.” The proposed budget recommends spending the surplus reserves on one-time student-focused investments, including: Staff say after the use of $7.4 million in reserves, the board will have a projected appropriated surplus of $9.1 million and the unappropriated surplus of $21.7 million. The budget does warn there are “significant risks” associated with the 2026-27 budget, including inflationary pressures, rising transportation costs and enrolment predictability.
