The Government of Ontario is investing millions into both the Halton District School Board and the Halton Catholic District School Board.
The HDSB will receive $27,216,278 and the HCDSB will get $15,468,309.
“As a father with children going back to school, and as the MPP for Milton, safety remains my top priority as our students begin the new school year. The millions of dollars given to Halton school boards, and the clear provincial guidelines provided, are strong actions our government has taken to keep people in Milton healthy and well,” says Milton MPP Parm Gill.
The funding is part of the $1.3 billion that the government has put into education. This is in response to COVID-19 and providing regular testing and screening, hiring 500 public health nurses, adding more teaching and custodial positions and cleaning supplies, enhancing cleaning for school buses, and providing more funding for students with special needs and mental health supports.
PPE will be provided to students, teachers, and staff, with additional health and safety training.
MPP Gill adds, “I want to thank our school boards, Trustees, and all of the teachers who are doing their part to support a safe September. To our parents and students, know that Ontario is behind you every step of the way. Ensuring schools are safe and thoroughly cleaned; teachers are trained and supported; masks are provided, and class cohorts are small, are actions taken to keep you and your family safe.”
A full breakdown of the numbers is below.
Halton District School Board:
- $1,598,438 for Additional Custodial Staffing Supports;
- $291,638 for Health and Safety Training for Occasional Teachers and Casual Education Workers;
- $240,587 for Additional Support for Special Education;
- $374,044 for Additional Mental Health Support;
- $465,123 for Technology resulting in an estimated 930 devices;
- Additional $1,443,920 for remote learning;
- $124,890 for Enhanced Cleaning Supports;
- $775,677 for Transportation needs;
- $2,749,497 more for teacher staffing;
- 28 more nurses;
- $1,239,500 for improving ventilation in classrooms;
- $2,883,133 in contingency funding to address emerging issues.
Halton Catholic District School Board:
- $918,415 for Additional Custodial Staffing Supports;
- $163,895 for Health and Safety Training for Occasional Teachers and Casual Education Workers;
- $163,760 for Additional Support for Special Education;
- $300,000 for Additional Mental Health Support;
- $267,246 for Technology resulting in an estimated 534 devices;
- And an additional $735,692 for remote learning;
- $71,037 for Enhanced Cleaning Supports;
- $413,859 for Transportation needs;
- $1,720,455 more for teacher staffing;
- 28 more nurses;
- $582,000 for improving ventilation in classrooms;
- $1,762,920 in contingency funding to address emerging issues.
