Our Vision
OPSBA believes that strong and equitable education funding a foundational factor in setting the conditions that promote and sustain student achievement.
The Focus of our Advocacy
- Advocate for a full and complete review of the funding model grant categories to ensure that they support the current local needs of all school boards
- Advocate for resolution of pressing problems in funding such as transportation, Special Education, Full-Day Kindergarten, and child poverty
- Advocate for expanded supports and services to support children and youth mental health and well-being
- Advocate for funding to provide core curriculum subjects to rural and remote schools with a lack of critical student population
- Advocate for adequate funding to support the operation of rural and remote schools and active participation in the rural education strategy consultation
- Advocate for the reintroduction of local priority spending
- Continue to advocate for full funding by the Ministry of any new initiative
- Support for the impact on boards of ongoing funding formula changes
- Promote full collaboration among the four school board systems and enhancement of partnership among boards
- Advocate for infrastructure funding including flexibility in funding approaches, transparency in the approval process for capital projects and alignment between government priorities and capital funding
- Advocate for the Ministry to review the current education development charges (EDC) regulation to allow boards more flexibility in terms of capital funding
- Ensure strong school board participation in and contribution to the next steps in implementing the recommendations of the provincial government’s Community Hubs Strategic Framework and Action Plan
- Advocate for the importance of Community Schools to community sustainability
- Advocate for adequate funding to allow boards to meet AODA compliance deadlines and maintain ongoing compliance in future years
Our advocacy consistently focuses on the specific needs of our Member Boards to ensure all students are fully supported. Our available Education Funding information is sorted into the following categories:
- B & SB Memoranda - A summary of B & SB memoranda issued by the Ministry of Education in the current year and prior years with a link to the Ministry's transfer payments and financial reporting website.
- OPSBA Reports - A repository of education finance reports that have been developed by OPSBA staff on a variety of issues.
- Provincial Government Reports - Links to important provincial government reports such as provincial budgets and grant regulations.
- Energy - Updates and news on energy-related matters in Ontario.
- Copyright - Updates and news on matters relating to copyright in Canada and Ontario.
- Student Transportation - Updates and news on student transportation-related matters in Ontario.
Latest Updates
April 18, 2018 - OPSBA Review of 2018-19 Grants for Student Needs
January 16, 2018 - OPSBA 2018 Pre-Budget Consultation Submission
December 5, 2017 - OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education Regarding 2018-19 Education Funding Engagement Guide / GSN
November 8, 2017 - Letter to Minister Mitzie Hunter re: a request for review of Education Development Charges regulation
October 11, 2017 - 2018-19 Education Funding Engagement Guide
October 11, 2017 - Letter from ADM Andrew Davis re: Education Funding Consultations
April 13, 2017 - 2017-18 OPSBA Review of Grants for Student Needs and Related Announcements
January 11, 2017 - OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education Regarding 2017-18 Education Funding
October 25, 2016 - 2017-18 Education Funding Engagement Guide
March 29, 2016 - 2016-17 OPSBA Review of Grants for Student Needs and Related Announcements
January 27, 2016 - OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education Regarding 2016-17 Education Funding
December 10, 2015 - OPSBA Submission on Proposed Reforms to Ontario Regulation 444/98 - Disposition of Surplus Real Property
September 30, 2015 - 2016-17 Education Funding Consultation Guide
May 22, 2015 - OPSBA Feedback on the Regional Internal Audit Initiative
March 26, 2015 - OPSBA Review of Grants for Student Needs and Related Announcements and Information from the Ministry of Education on the 2015-16 Grants For Student Needs
December 17, 2014 - OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education re: 2015-16 Education Funding Consultation Guide and GSN Consultation
January 22, 2014 - OPSBA Submission to Minister Sousa re: 2014 Pre-Budget Consultations
January 22, 2014 - OPSBA Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs re: 2014 Pre-Budget Consultations
December 5, 2013 - OPSBA Brief to the Ministry of Education re: School Board Efficiencies and Modernization Consultation
October 25, 2013 - Ministry Memo regarding School Board Efficiencies and Modernization Consultations
School Board Efficiencies and Modernization Consultation Guide