The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board approved a balanced budget for 2009-10 at a special meeting held June 16 at the Catholic Education Centre. The budget reflects the commitment of the board to balance student needs with prudent fiscal management.

The budget aligns with the board's System Direction and the Ministry of Education's objectives for student achievement. It also enhances the board's ability to execute the Board Plan to Improve Student Achievement.

Facts and highlights of the 2009-10 budget include:

• total (operating & capital) budget $828,767,929;

• salaries and benefits comprise 89% of the board's total operating expenditures;

• Includes reductions in expenditures for textbooks, computers and staff development as a result of constraint measures in the Ministry funding;

• Reflects a 3.9% increase in grants over 2008-09;

• Includes provision for funding of Provincial Framework Agreements

"While the board would have liked to reinvest more significantly in the system," said board chair, Mario Pascucci, "trustees are well aware that resources are finite. Our challenge is always to balance our limited resources with the wishes of parents/guardians, faculty, staff and trustees in providing the best possible conditions for students to achieve success in the classroom, while providing them with the tools they need to achieve success in life."

Added Mario Pascucci, "Trustees are committed to a transparent budget process that allows for stakeholder input and ensures that the board adheres to sound fiscal management of its resources."

The board's budget consultation process is an extensive one which seeks input from parents/guardians and the unions and associations that represent the board's 10,000 employees.

"We heard from a wide range of Catholic stakeholders and were able to address some of the items that were raised during the consultation process," noted John Kostoff, director of education. "Our ability to produce a balanced budget is the direct result of responsible decisions made at the board table. Our bottom line is to maximize student achievement in a fiscally responsible manner. I believe this budget is right on target, in this regard."