Ottawa School Board Spends 25% More on Special Education

A recent report has revealed that the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) incurs costs for special education that exceed provincial funding by over 25 percent. This finding was presented to the audit committee of the OCDSB, highlighting significant financial pressures faced by the board.

The report, compiled by the Ontario East Regional Internal Audit Team, assesses the board’s financial commitments and operational strengths. It indicates that the OCDSB demonstrates “significant strengths in its approach to special education,” largely due to its willingness to allocate more resources than it receives from the provincial government. Audit committee chair Donna Blackburn noted that the report reflects a commitment to special education, even amid ongoing budgetary constraints.

In a context where the OCDSB is under supervision due to financial mismanagement concerns, Blackburn emphasized the impartiality of the auditors, stating, “These are accountants. They have no political motivation. They just look at facts. We are underfunded. They said it.”

Bob Plamondon, appointed as the OCDSB’s supervisor on June 27, 2023, is tasked with addressing these financial challenges. Ontario’s Education Minister Paul Calandra affirmed in a message to families on August 27, 2023, that Plamondon’s goal is to balance the board’s budget while ensuring long-term stability that directs funding back into classrooms.

The audit report analyzed the OCDSB’s special education spending relative to other boards in the region and those of comparable size. It revealed that while the province allocates funds for special education, many boards, including the OCDSB, often spend beyond their allocated budgets. The report stated, “OCDSB is allocating a large portion of its total budget to special education, aligning with the highest spending boards,” underscoring the board’s commitment to student support.

In terms of student demographics, the report highlighted that approximately 54 percent of all special education students in OCDSB elementary schools were enrolled in fully self-contained classes during the 2022-23 academic year. This reliance on self-contained classrooms may limit opportunities for inclusive education, the report cautioned. Blackburn clarified that the higher numbers are influenced by two specialized schools, Crystal Bay and Clifford Bowey, which cater to students with developmental disabilities and draw from across the city.

The audit also pointed out that the OCDSB invests more in its gifted program than many other districts in the region. However, some Ontario school boards, such as the Durham District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, allocate a larger proportion of their budgets to gifted programs, which fall under the special education category but are not mandated by the province.

Trustees were already aware of the board’s overspending on special education, with previous discussions indicating a discrepancy of around $10 million annually. The board is currently facing potential cuts of $3.8 million to special education resources, including essential staff such as learning support assistants and psychologists. The emotional debates among trustees have also included discussions about cutting a summer program for students with developmental delays and autism, which is not mandated by the province.

As the OCDSB operates under supervision, decision-making authority has shifted to a five-person audit committee, which includes three trustees. Plamondon has stated that the board’s operational challenges extend beyond financial issues, suggesting a need for a renewed focus on educational fundamentals to regain trust and boost student enrollment.

“Supervision is not just a change in governance — it’s an opportunity to move quickly and make the positive changes our students need and deserve,” Plamondon communicated in an email to families.

The findings of this report emphasize the ongoing struggle of the OCDSB to meet the needs of its students while navigating financial limitations, raising important questions about the future of special education funding in the region.