HDSB hosting info session as it braces for tough budget year amid declining enrolment

With increasing financial pressures, the Halton District School Board is gearing up for a public information session about the 2025/2026 budget development process.

The virtual event - set for Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. -  will answer questions submitted by the community and provide information about how the HDSB is funded, how resources are allocated and how the community can provide feedback.

"Over the past few years, the education sector has been presented with unprecedented challenges and funding pressures. It is also expected that elementary and secondary student enrolment will continue to decline next year, as a result of aging neighbourhoods combined with a slowed pace of growth in new development areas of the Halton Region," explained the HDSB in a press release.

"With student enrolment as the main driver of funding for the school board, this will result in lost revenue. The HDSB has budgeted for a $1.8 million deficit in the current year and is required by regulation to eliminate this deficit next school year. This means that the 2025-26 budget development process will be a restrained one, focused on containing costs while balancing the budget within funding limitations."

Parents/guardians, students, staff and community members are encouraged to review information about the budget development process on the 2025-26 Budget Input webpage and submit questions through the Public Information Session Question Form by Monday, Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. Questions will be addressed during the session and through Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) published on the website. An opportunity to provide feedback on the school year budget will be shared following the session. 

"As we begin the 2025-26 school year budget development process, we encourage our community to explore the information available on our website and submit questions about the process in preparation for providing meaningful feedback and engaging in a thoughtful exchange of ideas during the consultation process," said Roxana Negoi, Superintendent of Business Services and Treasurer for the Halton District School Board. "We greatly appreciate the community's involvement and the perspectives shared as we move forward."

The virtual session will be available to stream on the Budget Input webpage of the HDSB website. A recording of the session will remain accessible.

Registration is not required.