Indigenous language

It is a budget of more than $65.8 million for the Rainy River District School Board.

Between 70% and 75% is connected to staff salaries and wages.

The budget reflects continued declining enrolment, resulting in the board having fewer staff for the next school year.

Chief Executive Officer of Education Heather Campbell says there are some new support positions created.

“We have additional autism support workers from the prior budget year in our schools,” says Campbell.

“As well, we’ve now secured a second speech-language pathologist. We have continued funding for our First Nation, Métis and Inuit grad coach positions, both at the new Rainy River K-12 school and at Fort Frances High School.”

There are also enhancements to the funding for school field trips and secondary athletic excursions, and support for school nutrition programs.

The board is drawing from reserves to help pay for the nutrition programs.

Campbell says the budget also addresses priorities in literacy, math and pathway planning.

“We have a continuation of a lot of our digital math tools. We see continuation of support for developing those essential skills for students for their future pathways in employing an experiential learning Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program recruiter, as well as continuing with our Techways coordinator,” says Campbell.

“That program is for grades seven and eight students, giving them an early exposure to career and pathway planning with a focus on skilled trades competencies.”

Campbell says the budget also continues support for First Nation, Metis and Inuit education by increasing the number of Anishinaabemowin instructors.

She says this addresses the increase in students wanting to learn the Ojibwe language.

The board is getting more provincial funding, but Campbell says it mostly reflects inflationary adjustments.