Ottawa’s public school board receives 3% boost in core funding for next school year

The OCDSB says it remains hopeful a deal can still be reached before Wednesday.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is crunching the numbers after the Ontario government announced funding allotments for school boards for the next school year.

Trustees with Ottawa’s largest school board have been told they will need to find up to $20 million in savings to balance the 2025-26 budget. In March, the board approved a plan to cut more than 150 teaching and administrative positions, which could save more than $15 million.

• Ontario launching investigation into finances at Ottawa-Carleton District School Board

On Friday, the Ontario government said the OCDSB will receive $1.079 billion in funding for the new school year, up from $1.047 billion for the 2024-25 school year. The $31 million in extra funding includes an additional $18.9 million for classroom staffing, $3.1 million for special education funding and $2.8 million for student transportation.

According to the Ministry of Education, enrolment at OCDSB schools is expected to increase 0.1 per cent next school year.

CTV News Ottawa reached out to the OCDSB to comment on whether the three per cent in additional funding will help the board cover the projected shortfall. A spokesperson said the board’s finance team had not had time to review the funding document.

• Ottawa’s public school board cutting cut more than 150 teaching, administrative positions

Staff will present the “financial sustainability plan and fiscal year 2025/26 budget landscape” to OCDSB trustees on Wednesday night.

The budget debate will come as the Ontario government conducts a financial investigation into the OCDSB after the board posted four straight deficit budgets. A report is expected to be presented to Education Minister Paul Calandra by the end of May.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board will see a six per cent increase in funding next year, as it’s expected to see a 4.3 per cent increase in enrolment.

According to the Ministry of Education, the Catholic school board will receive $737.9 million in funding for the 2025-26 school year, up from $695 million this school year. The Core Education Funding allocation includes $23 million in additional funding for classroom staffing, $5.3 million in additional funding for special education and $2.75 million in new funding for student transportation.

The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board will see a five per cent increase in funding to $87.9 million next year, while the Renfrew County District School Board will see a three per cent hike in funding to $153.8 million.

The Upper Canada District School Board will receive $433 million in core funding, up 2.8 per cent from the 2024-25 school year.

School boards are required to pass a balanced budget.