Dalton & Dave spend millions more. As enrolments shrink

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $3.1 million in new base funding for Sault and area school boards McGuinty government has boosted local per pupil funding by 50 percent in the last six years

SAULT STE. MARIE - The McGuinty government has invested an additional $27,927,152 in Sault Ste. Marie schools over the last six years by committing $3,167,119 in new base funding for local school boards in the 2009-10 Grants for Student Needs (GSN), despite a decline in enrolment of 4129 students during the same period David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“With another significant investment in Sault and area schools we are continuing to put our children in a position to succeed with smaller class sizes, additional learning resources and new schools for the first time in nearly 40 years,” said Orazietti. “Increased funding for the next school year reinforces our education strategy which has produced stability, lower dropout rates and higher test scores over the last 6 years.”

Base funding has increased by $2,330,282 at the Algoma District School Board (ADSB) and $836,837 at the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB).

The percentage of students in both boards that successfully pass provincial tests has increased in nearly every subject at most grade levels under the McGuinty government.

ADSB GSN 2008-09 - points of interest

- With this year’s additional investment, funding to the board has increased 17.6 percent, or $19,149,251 under the McGuinty government

- Per pupil funding is up 4.9 percent or $608 since 2008-09 and has increased by 49.9 percent or $4,308 since 2003 for a total of $12,942 per student while the number of students attending board schools has dropped by 22 percent since 2003.

“While we have not confirmed the funding numbers for our board, we are pleased that, even with declining enrolment, the government's allocation for education purposes is up. We are pleased that specific funding continues to be provided to our Board for initiatives commenced last year. Also, we are very pleased for the early release of the budget announcement which allows for timely organization for the 2009-10 school year,” said Mario Turco, director of education for the Algoma District School Board.

HSCDSB GSN 2008-09 - points of interest

- With this year’s additional investment, funding to the board has increased 16.9 percent, or $8,777,901 under the McGuinty government

- Per pupil funding is up 5.0 percent or $584 since 2008-09 and has increased by 50.3 percent or $4,144 since 2003 for a total of $12,379 per student while the number of students attending board schools has dropped by 22 percent since 2003.

“The preliminary budget figures look promising,” said John Stadnyk, director of education for the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board. “We appreciate the continued investments in education, particularly in these tough economic times. The increases in the grants are good news and they will assist us in working towards achieving a balanced budget in 2009 -10.”

Provincially, the government's education investment of $19.7 billion in 2009-10 is an increase of $592 million over last year.

Since 2002-03, per pupil funding has increased by 41 percent, or the equivalent average of $3,080 per student.

Since taking office, the McGuinty government has increased funding for education by over $5 billion, despite a decline of over 100,000 students.

The government’s commitment and investments in education in Ontario’s publicly funded schools are delivering results for students:

- Scores are up: Over the last five years, more students in Grades 3 and 6 are doing better at reading, writing and math; their results in provincial tests have improved by at least 10 percentage points across most subject areas

- Grade 9 students are meeting the standard on the applied and academic math tests, up 13 and 9 percentage points, respectively; furthermore, the number of Grade 10 students passing the literacy test is up 12 percentage points

- Class sizes are smaller: All students in junior kindergarten to Grade 3 are learning in classes of 23 or fewer students, 90 per cent are in classes of 20 or fewer and getting more individual attention.

Additional provincial funding highlights include:

Funding more staff in schools

- 555 more elementary specialist teachers, in areas such as arts, to support 10 additional minutes of preparation time per week

- 126 more Grade 4-8 teachers to reduce class sizes

- 211 more elementary school office staff for an increased adult presence in schools

- 593 more custodians to provide cleaner, safer schools

- 400 more professional and para-professional staff to help at-risk students and those with special needs

- 129 more secondary teachers to support locally-developed programs.

Supporting peace and stability

- Improved salaries and benefits for all staff will be funded based on the recently reached four-year provincial framework agreements.

Keeping up with increased costs and inflation

- The Community Use of Schools program will receive almost two percent in additional funding to ensure that school space for after-school activities continues to be affordable for all Ontario families

- Electricity, natural gas, insurance and other essentials needed to operate schools will be supported with a two percent funding increase

- Student transportation costs, including fuel and maintenance, will receive a two percent funding increase.

Strong publicly funded schools are at the core of a competitive economy.

That’s why despite declining enrolment and a challenging economic environment, Ontario continues to invest in education.

The McGuinty government has listened to school boards and has made changes to education funding that will help ensure a stronger, more prosperous province in the future.

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