By Rosalind Russell – The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board has approved its budget for the 2023-24 year, which considers projected enrolments, more specialized teaching or staffing positions, and equipment.
Business superintendent Justin Pino says the budget, which totals nearly $89-million dollars must be balanced by law, so even though the projected enrolment is expected of 4,328 students, it also allows for a bit of room to maneuver and cover costs if those numbers do not materialize.
He adds it also includes funding for a new education superintendent to oversee a math recovery plan, a new principal of specialized student services for special education, three teaching vice principalships, and two new multilingual language learner teaching positions.
Pino says the board will also expand outdoor education as well as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs, as well as provide more clerical supports.
Up to $100,000 is also being allocated for cyber security, he adds, following the cyberattack that affected the board’s computers this past school year.
As for the rest, Pino says salaries, benefits and transportation makes up around 88 per cent of operating costs bringing in a balanced budget for the next school year.
Photo: Logo provided by HSCDSB