PEEL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
PDSB approves balanced budget focused on student success

At its July 2, 2025, Board meeting on July 2, 2025, Peel District School Board (PDSB) approved a balanced budget of $2.24 billion for the 2025-2026 school year, reaffirming its commitment to student well-being, academic excellence and responsible financial stewardship.

This year's budget was shaped by extensive consultation with trustees, staff, families, school council members, students and community partners. Their input helped inform decisions and set clear priorities: strengthening classroom supports, advancing equity and inclusion, and ensuring all students have the tools they need to succeed.

"This budget reflects our unwavering commitment to student well-being, academic success and equity," said Rashmi Swarup, Director of Education. "It is the result of meaningful collaboration and reflects our commitment to preparing students for a dynamic future. By listening to our community and aligning resources with what matters most, we've been able to prioritize the well-being, achievement and inclusion of every learner in PDSB."

The budget supports the Board's Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and reflects ongoing priorities such as academic achievement, equity and inclusion, safe learning environments, and community engagement. Despite continued financial pressures including rising costs and increasing student needs this budget protects and enhances vital classroom supports and services for all students.

"As we developed the 2025-2026 budget, we engaged with students, families, staff, trustees and community partners," said David Green, Chair of the Board. "This feedback helped shape a budget that keeps student needs front and centre. I want to thank our PDSB community and our Budget Development Committee and teams for their thoughtful collaboration and for keeping students at the heart of every decision."

Highlights of the 2025-2026 budget include:

• Additional staff to strengthen teaching and learning in core academic areas and support student success across all schools.
• 117 additional Educational Assistants, and enhanced supports for students with exceptionalities and mental health needs.
• Expanded Indigenous Education programming, including new staff and resources aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
• Increased funding for student programs such as Counting on You and Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM).
• Enhanced funding for the EcoSchools program, aligned with the PDSB Climate Action Plan and Multi-Year Strategic Plan.
• $400,000 in innovation funding to support STEM education, robotics, broad-based technology and school-based digital learning tools.

"Balancing the budget required identifying savings in central operations and redirecting resources to where they matter most, our classrooms," said Jaspal Gill, Chief Operating Officer & Associate Director of Operations and Equity of Access. "We remain focused on long-term sustainability without compromising student supports."

The 2025-2026 budget reflects PDSB's steadfast commitment to supporting vulnerable learners, advancing equity, maintaining high standards of achievement, and fostering safe, inclusive and engaging learning environments for all students.

For more information about the 2025-2026 budget, refer to the full budget report available on our website.