UGDSB passes $529-million budget

GUELPH – School is out for summer, and the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) has approved next year’s $529-million operating budget. 

The board unanimously approved its balanced budget for the 2026-27 school year during a special board meeting on June 29.

Total operating revenue ($528,819,918) is up 0.5 per cent more from last year, while expenses ($528,744,954) are down 2.3%.  

Expenses

Half of the expenses goes to teacher salaries, 7% to educational assistants, 6% to school administration, 13% to school operations and maintenance (including heating, electricity, snow removal, lawn care across 77 schools), 5% to student transportation, 3% to board administration and the rest to other costs including classroom supplies and additional staffing. 

The board is expecting to have 3,519 full-time-equivalent staff members for the 2026-27 school year, compared with 3,701 in 2025-26. 

According to a report, 97.2% of budget expenses directly support students. 

Revenue

The vast majority of UGDSB revenue, about $498 million, comes from enrolment-based provincial core education operating funding.

That’s based on projected enrolment of 34,468 full-time students, which is down almost 3% from 2025-26. 

The decrease in enrolment is a trend seen across the province, noted UGDSB CEO Peter Sovran, and is expected to continue beyond the next school year. 

Revenues also include provincial core education capital funding ($23 million), provincial and federal grants ($3 million) and other fees and revenues such as international student tuition, community use of schools, and solar panels ($3 million). 

Capital

The budget also includes $29 million in capital expenses, including the new South Guelph Secondary School and Mansfield Public Elementary School in Dufferin and an addition at Rickson Ridge Public School.  

Last year the capital budget neared $53 million.

Risks/pressures

Staff replacement costs (paying supply staff) is listed as the top risk/pressure, with an estimated cost of $19 million in 2026/27. 

Other risks/pressures listed are:

• increased benefit expenses including the Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance;
• special education “to ensure that fulsome supports for student needs are provided in a timely manner”;
• inflation of commodities and services, including electricity and transportation; and
• technology costs, including student devices and aging infrastructure. 

Priorities

Sovran said the budget is aligned with the board’s multi-year strategic plan and compliant with all relevant regulations and legislation. 

“Foundational education and student achievement are really at the core,” he said, with “high-quality programs and services for students remaining at front and centre.” 

Many difficult decisions needed to be made, he said, “but each decision was considered thoroughly, [resulting in] a budget that focuses on:

• core supports for student achievement, mental health and wellbeing;
• resources where they have the greatest impact;
• strengthening our work in equity, accessibility and human rights;
• learning pathways and opportunities for students and adult learners alike; and
• sustaining the board’s ability to serve students now and well into the future."