Trustees approved the 2025-2026 school year budget at the June 23, 2025 Board Meeting.
Trustees received a balanced budget that meets our legislative requirement with:
- Operating revenues of $864 million
- A capital budget of $90 million
The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) Financial Services team worked diligently with all departments to create the 2025-26 budget. They created a budget that prioritizes spending for student learning and supports, while also ensuring financial stability as we work towards achieving our operational goals.
The 2025-26 budget prioritizes investments in key areas, including early literacy, mathematics, classroom safety, and mental health. Targeted investments of $1.5 million have been made to support the implementation of the Math Achievement Action Plan, including school-based staff and support for educator training, digital math tools and resources.
In response to the WRDSB's commitment to support students reading at grade level by the end of Grade 2, in alignment with the WRDSB's Board Improvement and Equity Plan and the Ontario Human Rights' Commission's Right to Read Report, targeted funding investments of $2.9 million will be made to support the WRDSB's Structured Literacy Multi-Year Plan. The funding will support school staff to build their capacity, and educators working directly with students to leverage high yield instructional strategies to improve their literacy.
Looking ahead, we want to ensure that we prioritize the long-term financial stability of the WRDSB, while remaining transparent and accountable for how we support student achievement and well-being. This approach ensures stability while enabling impactful, system-level improvements aligned with the WRDSB's multi-year strategic objectives.
I want to express my gratitude to the Business Services department and staff across the organization for their work to establish a balanced budget. Through their efforts, we can approve a budget that meets provincial requirements and focuses on student learning and well-being."
- Maedith Radlein, Chair of the Board of Trustees
"We have developed a budget that reflects the priorities set out in our multi-year strategic plan and the board improvement and equity plan. Our investments in all areas with a focus on literacy and math will help ensure that students and staff continue to have the resources they need to be successful. I want to express my thanks to the Board of Trustees for their leadership and approval of this budget."
- Nick Landry, Superintendent of Business Services and Treasurer
The annual WRDSB budget is developed in consultation with staff and the Board of Trustees. The budget must also follow the funding regulations set out in the Ministry of Education's Core Education Funding, in compliance with the Education Act.
WRDSB breaks down how funding is allocated from the Ministry of Education and helps families, caregivers and community members better understand our expenses and sources of revenue.
Learn more about the WRDSB budget for 2025-26.
