Finance and Personnel Committee

Summary

• School Fee Schedules 2026-2027 (approved): Annual fee schedules for all 89 elementary and 18 secondary schools were presented and approved. Staff outlined the legal framework under Section 82 of the School Act, distinguishing what must be provided free (instruction, required materials) from what schools may charge for (personal supplies, optional enhancements, field trips). A financial hardship provision is printed on every fee schedule, ensuring no student is excluded from optional activities due to inability to pay.
• Q3 Financial Update (2025-2026, information item): The district reported a $7.48 million surplus for the nine months ending March 31, 2026, against a full-year budgeted deficit of $15.41 million, leaving an $8.02 million deficit forecast for Q4. No year-end deficit is projected. Staff noted retroactive teacher pay (3% wage increase backdated to July 1, 2025) is being paid May 15. Educational assistant salaries are tracking below budget due to higher-than-usual absences, offset by increased substitute costs. Any year-end surplus would first go toward rebuilding the contingency reserve, which currently sits below the required 1% minimum, subject to board approval in September.