At its regular meeting held June 25, 2024, the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC) approved its 2024-2025 budget of $64,502,055 for submission to the Ministry of Education. Following a strategic planning process, the approved budget was guided by the Board’s multi-year strategic plan (
ENDs) focused on Well-Being, Student Achievement, Catholic Faith, Equity, Indigenous Education, and Innovation. Featuring programs and services that directly benefit students, the budget is compliant with Ministry of Education balanced budget legislation and reflects a 4.8% increase over last school year. The estimated operating expenditures are $60,246,202 and capital and non-operating expenditures are estimated to be $4,255,853.
“Our Board of Trustees were pleased to approve a fiscally responsible budget that reflects effective stewardship of resources in the service of our students and Catholic education.” said Board Chair, Shawn Fitzsimmons. “We extend deep gratitude to our administration staff for the planning of a responsive budget that remains sharply focused on the achievement of our Board’s strategic ENDs.” he adds.
With a projected enrolment increase of 2%, NPSC’s 2024-2025 budget includes significant key investments reflecting Core Education and Responsive Education Program funding to support student achievement and well-being in several areas including:
- Early Reading screening support in the Early Years.
- Mathematics facilitator support in all schools.
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) resources in all schools, including land-based robotics kits.
- Expansion of the Skilled Trades and Technological Education including a new Robotics course offering at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall.
- Continued specialty program offerings in Instrumental Music, Innovation Design and Technology and Home Economics for all NPSC Intermediate students.
- Continued mental health & well-being support for all schools.
- Increases to the Special Education staff complement.
- Enhancements to the Indigenous Studies program at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall, including the Shkaabewis Program focused on youth leadership, as well as Indigenous worldview and cultural teachings.
- New Catholic Education resources to support Family Life Education and continued chaplaincy support.
- Continued expansion of the Hockey Canada Skills Academy program at St. Joseph-Scollard Hall which is now heading into its third year.
“We are extremely excited by the many innovative learning enhancements supported by the 2024-2025 budget to achieve our strategic commitments as a Catholic education system that keeps our students at the center of all that we do.” shares Paula Mann, Director of Education.
For more information, contact Paula Mann, Director of Education, or Grace Barnhardt, Executive Superintendent of Corporate Services, at 705-472-1201.