A financial shot in the arm for local school boards as a cloud of uncertainty surrounds the 2021 and 2022 school years.
The province is promising another year of COVID-19 support totaling $1.6 billion.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce says the funding is for such things as transportation, special education, reading support, summer programming, mental health investments, health and safety upgrades and help for students who have become disconnected from school and learning during the pandemic.
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board can anticipate $3.9 million with $1.15 million earmarked for hiring temporary staff.
Director of Education Sherri-Lynne Pharand says, “We are grateful for the investment in intervention, mental health and well-being, The continued focus on student learning and student safety will help boards support students as we return from the pandemic.”
The Northwest Catholic District School Board can expect $1.9 million with $760,000 allocated for additional part-time staff.
In total, the Ontario government is investing more than $17 million in Kenora-Rainy River school boards.
Here is the funding breakdown for our area:
Keewatin-Patricia District School Board:
For the 2021-22 school year, through COVID-19 resources, the Keewatin-Patricia DSB is projected to receive over $3.9 million, including:
• $1.15 million for temporary staffing
• $100,000 for ventilation
• $330,000 for transportation
• $130,000 for special education
• $250,000 for mental health supports
• $60,000 for learning recovery
• Up to $1.67 million by drawing on their reserves up to 2% of their operating allocation
• $80,000 in time-limited language grant supports
• $110,000 as an ongoing technology investment
• $50,000 as an ongoing mental health investment
In addition, Keewatin-Patricia DSB is projected to receive $83.7 million in funding, an increase of $3 million over last year for the 2021/22 school year.
Rainy River District School Board:
For the 2021-22 school year, through COVID-19 resources, the Rainy River DSB is projected to receive over $2.5 million, including:
• $860,000 for temporary staffing
• $50,000 for ventilation
• $200,000 for transportation
• $120,000 for special education
• $240,000 for mental health supports
• $40,000 million for learning recovery
• Up to $870,000 by drawing on their reserves up to 2% of their operating allocation
• $20,000 in time-limited language grant supports
• $100,000 as an ongoing technology investment
• $50,000 as an ongoing mental health investment
In addition, the Rainy River DSB is projected to receive $43.3 million in funding, an increase of $120,000 over last year for the 2021/22 school year.
Northwest Catholic District School Board:
For the 2021-22 school year, through COVID-19 resources, the Northwest Catholic DSB is projected to receive over $1.9 million, including:
• $760,000 for temporary staffing
• $20,000 for ventilation
• $90,000 for transportation
• $120,000 for special education
• $240,000 for mental health supports
• $30,000 for learning recovery
• Up to $500,000 by drawing on their reserves up to 2% of their operating allocation
• $30,000 in time-limited language grant supports
• $100,000 as an ongoing technology investment
• $50,000 as an ongoing mental health investment
In addition, the Northwest Catholic DSB is projected to receive $25.0 million in funding, an increase of $590,000 over last year for the 2021/22 school year.
Kenora Catholic District School Board:
For the 2021-22 school year, through COVID-19 resources, the Kenora Catholic DSB is projected to receive over $2 million, including:
• $750,000 for temporary staffing
• $200,000 for ventilation
• $70,000 for transportation
• $110,000 for special education
• $240,000 for mental health supports
• $30,000 for learning recovery
• Up to $490,000 by drawing on their reserves up to 2% of their operating allocation
• $40,000 in time-limited language grant supports
• $100,000 as an ongoing technology investment
• $50,000 as an ongoing mental health investment
In addition, the Kenora Catholic DSB is projected to receive $24.7 million in funding, an increase of $220,000 over last year for the 2021/22 school year.
CSD catholique des Aurores boréales:
For the 2021-22 school year, through COVID-19 resources, the CSD catholique des Aurores boréales is projected to receive over $1.9 million, including:
• $710,000 for temporary staffing
• $200,000 for ventilation
• $60,000 for transportation
• $110,000 for special education
• $230,000 for mental health supports
• $30,000 for learning recovery
• Up to $530,000 by drawing on their reserves up to 2% of their operating allocation
• $10,000 in time-limited language grant supports
• $100,000 as an ongoing technology investment
• $50,000 as an ongoing mental health investment
In addition, the CSD catholique des Aurores boréales is projected to receive $26.5 million in funding, an increase of $1.3 million over last year for the 2021/22 school year.
