June 26, 2026
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The Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board has officially approved its annual budget report for the 2026-27 school year. This $132.3-million comprehensive financial plan reflects evidence-based decision-making and successfully achieves 100-per-cent compliance with the Ontario Ministry of Education regulations.
The budget actively directs resources to support a growing student population of 5,168 average daily enrolment students, marking a 1.5-per-cent increase over last year. Pairing strict fiscal responsibility with a deep commitment to its spiritual mission, the approved budget outlines a $92.7-million operating budget alongside a $39.6-million capital investment allocation.
"On behalf of the board of trustees, I am very pleased to present the budget report for the 2026-27 school year," said chairperson Lori Di Castri. "As stewards of your trust, our priority is to ensure that the collective voice of our community guides our financial decisions. This budget represents a deliberate approach to governance and one that pairs strict fiscal accountability with an unwavering dedication to our mission as a Catholic school board. Through this road map, we ensure resources are distributed equitably to safeguard long-term stability while directing funding precisely where it impacts students most: in our classrooms, technology infrastructure, and special education supports."
This year's budget reflects a direct response to public input gathered from community participants who shared their top priorities across 14 survey questions. The community overwhelmingly identified classroom environment and front-line staffing as their absolute top priority to protect.
As such, the board has made a significant investment by adding 17.9 full-time equivalent (FTE) classroom teachers and four FTE educational assistants directly to schools. To fully balance the budget under unfunded statutory mandates and severe inflationary pressures without cutting single core front-line roles, the senior administration team deliberately streamlined system bureaucracy, reducing central board administration positions by four FTE through attrition and structural realignment.
"As we map out our financial plan for the coming year, our core purpose remains both clear and deeply rooted," said chief executive officer (CEO) and chief education officer (CEdO) Karyn Bruneel. "We wish to cultivate Christ-centred communities where every single action flows naturally from our faith. Our focus is on sustaining just, inclusive spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and genuinely empowered to flourish. This budget serves as a practical road map that reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering personalized support and securing equitable access to growth, opportunity, and success for every learner."
In addition to daily operating expenditures, the board is heavily investing in local infrastructure to accommodate intense enrolment and facility-utilization pressures across the region. Major capital expenditures have increased by 291.7 per cent to a total of $39.56-million, driven largely by a $32.1-million investment toward a new Catholic secondary school build in Owen Sound.
The infrastructure plan also designates $800,000 toward engineering and preparatory build work for a new elementary school in Mildmay. To keep older and rural facilities safe, structurally sound, and well-maintained, the board has earmarked $3.7-million for renewal projects, such as HVAC (heating and cooling system) replacements, roofing repairs, and accessibility upgrades, while a final $1.6-million is directed toward digital infrastructure refreshes and cyber-security safety tools.
With full compliance verified across all regulatory markers by the financial services team, the CEO/CEdO, and board of trustees, the complete budget estimates package will be officially submitted to the education ministry to meet the required June 30 submission deadline.
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