​Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board approves $99.5-million budget for 2025-26

The Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board has approved a balanced, compliant, and mission-driven budget of $99.5-million for the 2025–26 school year, reflecting strong community input, sound fiscal stewardship, and close alignment with the board’s multi-year strategic plan.

The financial plan was presented to the board of trustees with a focus on investment, accountability, and student-centred priorities. The budget supports the continued growth and excellence of the board’s 13 Catholic schools, which will serve more than 5,090 students this coming year — a projected increase of 0.7 per cent.

“This is more than a financial document — it’s a strategic response to the needs of our students, families, and communities,” said Alecia Lantz, executive superintendent of business. “Every dollar is allocated to reflect our core values and to deliver meaningful impact across classrooms, mental-health supports, and system operations.”

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

By the Numbers (2025–26):
 

• Total operating expenditures: $89.4-million — a 3.1-per-cent increase over the previous year
• Capital investments: $10.1-million — including $4.4-million toward a new Grades 9-12 Catholic high school in Owen Sound
• Planned surplus: $3.2-million of unavailable for compliance funding — related to planned land priorities expenditures for the new Grades 9-12 Catholic high school in Owen Sound (and included in capital investments)
• Staffing investments: 17 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions added, bringing total salary and benefits to $68-million
• Average Daily Enrolment (ADE): 5,090 students (plus 34 ADE from prior year)

Strategic budget allocation by pillar:
 

• Catholic Faith and Culture: $1.4-million (1.6 per cent)
• Student Achievement: $47.4-million (53 per cent)
• Mental Health and Well-Being: $15.1-million (16.9 per cent)
• Stewardship: $25.5-million (28.5 per cent)

RESPONSIVE TO COMMUNITY VOICE

More than 2,000 participants shaped this year’s budget through a system-wide ThoughtExchange. The most emphasized needs included:
 

• Supporting students with exceptionalities
• Enhancing mental-health supports
• Investing in culturally-responsive education
• Strengthening staff training and classroom resources

These priorities directly informed new investments in special education, Indigenous programming, professional development, and inclusive curriculum tools.

RESPONSIBLE FISCAL MANAGEMENT

The 2025–26 budget aligns with provincial funding reforms, inflation pressures, and long-term sustainability goals.

The board continues to operate:
 

• Balanced and compliant with ministry regulations
• Strategically aligned to long-term plans and enrolment forecasts
• Accountable, for every dollar we invest in our students

Operating revenues for the year reflect a 5.6-per-cent decrease due to the inclusion of one-time land priorities funding in 2024–25. Adjusted for this one-time inclusion, the board will see a net increase of $6.8-million in legislative grants and program-specific allocations (of which $3.4-million relates to further land priorities carry-over funding).

KEY BUDGET PRESSURES AND PROACTIVE MEASURES

The board continues to address major financial challenges including:
 

• Rising labour and benefit costs
• Greater complexity in student needs and mental-health supports
• Facility space constraints, with a current utilization rate of 113.7 per cent

The board is proactively addressing these challenges through targeted strategies, including program optimization, staffing adjustments to meet student needs, and infrastructure modifications and expansion.

LOOKING AHEAD

The approved budget lays a strong foundation for advancing student achievement, system equity, and Catholic identity in the year ahead.

“We’re incredibly proud of this balanced budget, which reflects not only compliance, but also our deep commitment to well-being, our Christ-centred mission in all that we do, and the pursuit of excellence for all our students, staff, and families – with a focus on building community,” said education director Karyn Bruneel. “It’s a financial expression of faith, care, and dedication to our shared future.”

The full budget report can be found by clicking here or on the board website at www.bgcdsb.org/accountability.

For more information, visit www.bgcdsb.org or contact: Business.Services@bgcdsb.org.