The York Catholic District School Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan identifies four commitments to our stakeholders. They include: the Integration of Catholic Faith, the Continuous Improvement of Student Achievement, the Effective Use of Our Resources and Engaging Our Communities. Faced with increasing financial restraints, these commitments continue to guide the Board’s decision-making on new investments and areas for cost reductions.
During the spring 2016 budget development process, the Board of Trustees approved $4.4 million in cost reductions as well as $630,000 in new investments. One area for cost reduction included Winter Maintenance at YCDSB schools. This new procedure aligns with the long-standing winter maintenance practices at the York Region District School Board and many other school boards across the province. The York Region District School Board has maintained this practice since 2004.
At York Catholic District School Board, the safety and well-being of all students is our top priority. School snow clearing will continue in the following areas:
- Entrances to the Child Care and Before and After School Program
- All fire exits and exterior entrances
- Pathway in the kindergarten play area from the school exit to the corresponding gate exit
- Portable steps, landings, ramps and pathways
- School sidewalks
- Six foot path on the hard surface adjacent to the school in the playgrounds (excluding kindergarten and/or child care enclosures)
To address budget restraints and to reduce the impact of salt on the environment, hard surface play areas will not be plowed or salted this winter. The exception to this procedure would be at schools with portable classrooms or when severe weather (i.e. ice storms) occurs. Schools with portable classrooms will have a section of hard surface maintained throughout the winter to provide safe access for those students and staff using portables.
View more information on the York Catholic District School Board’s 2016-17 Approved Budget.