FUNDING FOR AREA SCHOOL BOARDS INCREASES $35
MILLION
BROCKVILLE _ School boards providing education
for students in Leeds Grenville will see their
budgets increase $35,342,135 in the 2003-2004
fiscal year, Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman
announced today.
Last Friday the Ontario government announced
that education funding for the next year will
reach $15.3 billion, an increase of $1.1 billion
over the allocations announced in the May 2002.
This additional funding constitutes an increase
of almost eight percent despite a projected
two per cent decline in enrolment across the
province.
"Since our government took office in 1995,
we have worked hard to provide a level of funding
that guarantees every child in Ontario a quality
education," said Runciman.
The Rozanski report released in December 2002
confirmed the government's education funding
reforms were sound but recommended that spending
be increased by $1.8 billion over three years.
"With the spending projections announced
Friday, the increase will be almost $2 billion
over three years," said Runciman.
The Upper Canada District School board will
receive funding of $264,849,611 in the 2003-2004
fiscal year, an increase of $20,485,678 or 8.4
per cent over last year's allocation although
enrolment is expected to decline 2.6 per cent.
The funding allocation for the Catholic District
School Board of Eastern Ontario is $110,905,233,
an increase of $6,890,668 or 6.6 per cent. Enrolment
is expected to decline 2.2 per cent.
The CSD Catholique du Centre-Est de l'Ontario
will receive $134,020,223 in the 2003-2004 fiscal
year, an increase of $8,170,789 of 6.5 per cent
although enrolment is expected to decline by
2.6 per cent.
Runciman noted the government will provide
school boards with $50 million in new permanent
funding for a new rural strategy starting in
2003-2004. Consultations on the new rural education
strategy will be announced soon. Based on results
of these consultations, eligible school boards
will receive their share of the new funding.
Following the release of the Rozanski report,
the Ontario government announced increased education
funding of $610 million last December. The new
announcements add $551 million to this increase.
"Our government is demonstrating a strong
commitment to the education of young Ontarians,"
said Elizabeth Witmer, Deputy Premier and Minister
of Education. "We are implementing the
recommendations of the Rozanski report to give
our students the opportunities and support they
need to succeed."
The new funding will allow area school boards
to enhance service in a number of categories.
Runciman said Leeds-Grenville is well served
by area school boards.
"I am pleased with the leadership and
commitment shown by our area boards," said
Runciman. "We have a number of excellent
administrators and trustees who are going a
great job in providing our students with quality
educational opportunities. I am confident they
will use this new money to enhance these opportunities."
NOTE TO MEDIA: For more detailed information,
please contact officials with the area school
boards.
