The new budget – Our Monthly Trustee Column

One of the responsibilities of TDSB trustees, as laid out in the Education Act, is to pass an annual balanced budget. The last two budgets were fairly straightforward; they were status quo budgets, and as such, stayed largely the same.

This year’s budget will be different — for two reasons. First, last June our board passed a Multi-Year Strategic Plan to guide our work. As a result, our budget this year will have to align with and support that plan. Second, we are anticipating changes to our funding from the provincial government that most of us here at the TDSB expect will require tough budgetary decisions. Families, as well as staff and trustees, must be prepared to deal with these.

To that end, as part of this year’s budget process, staff have scheduled 10 extra meetings with trustees in addition to the regular Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (FBEC) meetings. Through these meetings, which have already begun, staff and trustees have tentatively established strategic drivers. These are being presented for public consultation through ward forums during the month of March. Ward 11’s budget ward forum took place at Hodgson Middle School on March 7. For those who missed it, be aware that FBEC and special budget sessions with trustees are videotaped, and both these and materials presented at ward forums are available to the public on the TDSB website.

We value the public’s feedback and encourage everyone to fill out the 2019-2020 Community Budget Survey. Please make your voice heard about your budget priorities on our website at www.tdsb.on.ca.

About Rachel Chernos Lin 15 Articles
Rachel Chernos Lin is TDSB Trustee for Ward 11.