Budget shortfalls for Catholic school board

Budget shortfalls for Catholic school board
Wed May 14, 2008

By: By Crystal Crimi

DURHAM -- The Durham Catholic District School Board's budget shortfalls aren't going away any time soon, staff reports suggest.

The board is facing another year of funding shortfalls, which are likely to occur in 2009/2010 as well, according to a budget update presented at the May 12 meeting of the Durham Catholic board. Cuts also occurred to balance the books in 2007/2008.

"We are at a $2.7-million challenge," said Ryan Putnam, superintendent of business. Looking ahead, he forecasted a $4-million challenge for 2009/2010.

Currently, the board has to reduce its dependency on reserves and deal with declining enrolment, said Mr. Putnam.

"We have historically, we have overspent our budget," said Mr. Putnam in an interview. In the past, the board used $5-to-$10 million from reserves per year to support areas not funded, such as some staffing positions, special education, and small schools.

Mr. Putnam said enrolment has been declining for a few years, but the board was still operating as it had at its peak.

"We've been operating as a 25,000-student board with 23,000 pupils," said Mr. Putnam.

The goal is to eliminate reliance on the reserves by 2009/2010, while still dealing with declining enrolment.

This year's $2.7-million shortfall could be reduced to $1.3 million with savings through five proposed Oshawa school closures, the elimination of some bus zones, and enrolment adjustments, said Mr. Putnam.

An extra cost of $600,000 is also included in the budget for noon-hour transportation for kindergarten kids. He said the extra service is felt to be a short-term investment because implementing all-day kindergarten by 2010 is being studied by the Province.

Possible areas for spending adjustments include school budgets and teaching positions beyond class size and agreement requirements, departmental budgets, school and board administration.

Board staff is meeting with the regional school council Thursday to seek input on the budget, before presenting its first draft to trustees June 9, followed by the final budget meeting June 23.