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The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has approved a balanced budget for the 2025-2026 school year, ensuring continued support for student learning throughout the district.
The $259.61 million budget reflects the Board’s commitment to responsible financial stewardship while prioritizing the needs of students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. It maintains current programs, supports the strategic priorities and aligns with Ministry of Education funding guidelines.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank the Director and the Senior Leadership Team for presenting a responsible and thoughtful budget that makes the most of our available resources. This budget reflects a balance between meeting the needs of students in classrooms today and supporting critical system-wide improvements, such as our new enterprise resource planning system and enhanced cybersecurity measures, that strengthen our foundation for the future,” said Dr. Kari Kramp, Chair of the Board.
The budget was developed through careful planning and input from staff and trustees, following community consultation earlier this year. It addresses key areas such as in-classroom resources and student supports, while responding to fiscal realities and provincial requirements.
The approved budget will take effect September 1, 2025.
Budget highlights
The 2025-2026 budget has been developed with student achievement at the forefront and reflects the Board’s ongoing commitment to responsible fiscal management, equity and sustainability. Key highlights include:
- Prioritizes in-classroom resources
- Complies with Ministry of Education legislation and collective agreements
- Incorporates tools and resources to increase administrative efficiency to ensure long-term sustainability for the organization
Alignment with the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan
Vision: Inspiring and innovating for a bright future.
Mission: We educate and empower students with skills for success.
The 2025–2026 budget investments are directly aligned with the priorities of the multi-year strategic plan. The following initiatives and supports reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, inclusive and future-focused education:
- 15 additional educational assistants
- Increased school budgets
- Specialized services, including an Applied Behaviour Analysis coordinator and additional Speech and Language Pathologist support
- AI and robotics
- Foundational skills learning partner for Grades 4-10
By the numbers: Enrolment and staffing
- Overall enrolment of 15,085 ADE (average daily enrolment) which is a decrease of 255 ADE from the prior year
- Decrease of 171 ADE in elementary
- Decrease of 84 ADE in Secondary
- 1,722 full-time equivalent staff