GUELPH – School boards across Ontario, including the Upper Grand District School Board, have recently reported increased staff absences and higher staff replacement costs.
Board officials at the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) have confirmed they too are spending more on staff replacements, but staff absences there are below provincial trends.
During the 2023-24 school year, the WCDSB spent about $1.95 million on supply staff, according to board officials. That’s 1.4 per cent of the board’s total operating expenses for that school year.
Supply staff costs also equalled 1.4% of operating expenses during the 2022-23 school year (totalling about $1.77 million).
Prior to the pandemic, during the 2018/19 school year, the board spent about $1.5 million on supply staff. Proportionately, that’s still 1.4% of the board’s operating expenses for the year.
“Similar to provincial trends in many sectors over the past few years, we have experienced an increase in replacement costs associated with illness-related absences,” board officials wrote in an email to the Advertiser.
“Since the pandemic, we have a better awareness of how to keep others around us safe from illness.
“One of those mitigation strategies includes staying home when you are feeling unwell or exhibiting signs of illness. Staff have sick-leave provisions in their contract and use them when necessary. They have an important role in caring for students’ well-being in our schools and, in turn, need to ensure they are taking care of their health and well-being.”
The board monitors rates of staff absences throughout the year, adjusts the budget accordingly, and works “with our partners and employee assistance plan providers in supporting staff who may need it,” officials say.
