Ottawa’s public school board posts $5.4 million deficit in 2024-25 as supervisor conducts review

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board office in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)

Ottawa’s public-school board posted a higher-than-expected budget deficit for the 2024-25 school year, the fourth straight year the board’s budget was in the red.

A report shows the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board finished the school year with a $5.4 million deficit in its $1.169 billion operating budget. In December 2024, the board had been projecting a $4.2 million deficit for the school year.

Staff say the school board saw a reduction in funding due to lower-than-expected enrolment. The actual elementary school enrolment was 852 students lower-than-budgeted, while high school enrolment was 113 students higher than expected.

The report, presented to the OCDSB’s Audit Committee Monday night, suggested the operating deficit would have been $20 million for the 2024-25 school year, if not for one-time funding of $9.2 million to support special education costs and $5.2 million to offset compensation costs relating to Bill 124 remedy payments.

According to the report, the OCDSB spent $7.1 million more than budgeted on staff replacement costs to cover staff illnesses and posted a $6.8 million deficit in school operations and maintenance due to the “lack of adequate budget provisions to cover custodial and overtime costs, the cost of property maintenance and the escalating utility costs.”

When trustees approved the 2024-25 OCDSB budget in June 2024, they voted to use $9.1 million from reserves to balance the budget.

In June, the Ontario government took over control of the OCDSB and appointed Robert Plamondon to supervise the board and get the board “back on track.”

Education Minister Paul Calandra said in June that Plamondon’s mandate was to “find savings and make the changes needed to restore responsible management and maximize support for classroom education.”

In a letter to parents and guardians on Friday, Plamondon said his “core priority remains ensuring every dollar is maximized for student success and well-being.”

“We are conducting a comprehensive line-by-line review of all board spending to achieve a balanced budget and enable targeted investments,” Plamondon said.

“For the 2026-27 budget, we will be seeking public input through the Audit Committee. Ideas for savings and targeted investments are welcomed through a transparent budget process.

Plamondon announced in October he was scrapping the Elementary Program Review, which included streamlining the curriculum to offer only Enhanced English and French Immersion, eliminating Middle French Immersion, closing Alternative Schools and making changes to school boundaries.

The $1.2 billion 2025-26 school year budget approved by trustees before Plamondon was appointed included $18 million in spending cuts and the elimination of 135 positions.