Peel District School Board trustees approved a $1.5-billion budget last night and, in doing so, encouraged residents to confront candidates in this fall’s provincial election with the issue of local education funding.

The balanced budget for the 2011/12 school year includes almost $1.4 billion in operating expenditures and more than $124 million in capital spending.

During the annual budget approval process, Board officials usually rail at Queen's Park for underfunding local public school students.  However, this year they were a little more subdued in their criticism of funding levels.

Education director Tony Pontes acknowledged the Board is, to some extent, in an “enviable” position when it comes to funding.

Government grants to Ontario school boards are primarily allocated based on enrollment numbers; the more students a school board has, the more money it would typically receive.

While the vast majority of school boards in Ontario are seeing student enrollment decline, the Peel Board is continuing to grow, much of that growth in Brampton.

The increasing student numbers have resulted in increased funding from Queen’s Park.  The Board highlighted $79.7 million in increased provincial operating grants compared to last year.

Included in the public school budget is funding support to employ teachers at the Board’s welcome centres and more teachers, educational assistants and early childhood education staff to handle enrollment growth.

“As we look at this budget, we are in an enviable position.  We’re looking at a balanced budget,” said Board chair Janet McDougald.  “That balanced budget provides increased support to schools and students.  So, to be here, looking at increasing per pupil funding to schools by $5 a student, or the addition of learning resources for schools, or the expansion of mental health supports, these are all things we appreciate.”

Next year, the Board is expecting at least another $3 million in grants.  McDougald believes ongoing pressure and lobbying from parents, the Board, employee unions and others are partly responsible for increased funds beginning to flow in Peel’s direction.

She thanked local MPPs and the government for responding to concerns raised by the Board and others.  But while grateful, she noted the Board still insists more must be done to fully meet the growing needs of students in Peel.

The government report card on funding would read, “progressing well, but with room for improvement,” McDougald said.

Funding levels at the Peel Board are still not equitable when compared to other boards, officials contend, and many areas of operations need more financial support to meet student needs.

McDougald encouraged voters to ask candidates this fall what they'll do, if elected, to increase education funding in Peel.

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