Grant money runs out, so the division puts 21 jobs on its own budget

What happened

Two grant programmes, an 'all-in' grant and a school security officer grant, ended with the 2025-26 school year. Rather than lose the people they paid for, the proposed 2026-27 budget presented on March 4, 2026 moved eight school security officers, four reading specialists, eight staff in the FLEX programme and a restorative practices coordinator off grant funding and onto the division's own operating fund, and added special education teachers and instructional assistants for the same reason. The board approved the budget on March 18, 2026.

Why it matters to families

This is the moment a temporary grant becomes a permanent cost. Keeping these staff means security officers stay in buildings, reading specialists stay with children who need them, and the FLEX and restorative practices work continues, but the division now pays for all of it every year out of a local contribution the city held flat at $99 million. Staff told the board they deliberately avoid hiring on grant money precisely because of this moment.

The evidence

The recording of the March 4, 2026 meeting carries the Chief Financial Officer identifying the end of the two grant programmes as a major expenditure pressure and listing the eight school security officers, four reading specialists, eight FLEX positions and one restorative practices coordinator recommended to move from the grant fund to fund 50, along with special education teachers and instructional assistants, and the superintendent's account of budgeting for sustainability rather than hiring on expiring grants. The March 18, 2026 recording carries the chair confirming the board voted to approve the budget that night.

The source