The Hastings Prince Edward District School Board is looking at some revised figures for the year end.
Superintendent of Business Services Nick Pfeiffer will present a report on Monday night during the board’s annual meeting that will show some revised estimates that have the school board finishing the year with a $6.9 million surplus.
This is down $3.4 million from earlier estimates.
Pfeiffer says because of COVID-19, the Ministry of Education has increased the threshold for an in-year deficit from 1% to 2% and in HPEDSB’s case, this works out to be $3.7 million.
In his report he states there has been a substantial decline in overall enrolment, particularly at the elementary level as well as a substantial enrolment decline at the secondary level from international students.
The report also says an additional 77 staff, additional PPE and cleaning supplies, increased transportation costs and increased school operational costs have added to higher than expected expenses.
Pfeiffer says revenues have declined by $2.2 million and expenses have increased by $6.3 million.
The Ministry of Education has provided the school board with an additional $4 million to offset COVID-19 expenses, but Pfeiffer says this is not sufficient to cover all of the COVID-19 related costs.
The meeting will be live streamed beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday.
