Peel Public School Board approves $2.24 billion budget focused on equity, innovation, and student support

July 10, 2025
RED FM News desk

Ontario – The Peel District School Board (PDSB), which serves Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon, has passed a balanced $2.24 billion budget for the 2025–2026 school year, with a strong focus on enhancing classroom supports, equity initiatives, and student well-being.

The budget, approved during the board’s July meeting, outlines key investments in staff, mental health services, Indigenous education, and digital learning tools—all aimed at helping Peel students thrive in a changing world.

“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.”

Key Highlights of the 2025–2026 Budget Include:

• New staffing investments to enhance core academic instruction and student success supports.
• The addition of 117 Educational Assistants, alongside increased resources for students with exceptionalities and those facing mental health challenges.
• Expansion of Indigenous Education programming, with new staff and materials aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
• Greater funding for student-focused initiatives such as Counting on You and Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM).
• Strengthened support for environmental learning through the EcoSchools program, part of the board’s broader Climate Action and Multi-Year Strategic Plan.
• A dedicated $400,000 innovation fund to boost STEM learning, robotics, digital technology, and school-based 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 and Associate Director of Operations and Equity of Access. “We remain focused on long-term sustainability without compromising student supports.”

The PDSB serves one of the largest and most diverse student populations in Canada, and this budget, trustees say, is designed to ensure every student has equitable access to the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.