Both Renfrew County school boards will see increases in funding next year, although the amounts may not seem quite as historic as the province suggests.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce announced Friday morning that the province will invest $736 million more in public education for the 2020-21 school year, increasing the total to more than $25.5 billion.

The funding, through the Grants for Student Needs (GSN) program, represents the “largest investment in public education in Ontario’s history,” Lecce said.

As a result, Ontario’s average per-pupil funding amount has reached $12,525, which is an increase of $250 over the previous year.

“We are investing more in our students to ensure they are safe, and well prepared to hit the books beginning in September,” Lecce said.

“As we review all scenarios related to the COVID-19 outbreak, our government is supporting each and every school board in the province to ensure our students and educators have the resources available for a successful year.”

Locally, the Renfrew County District School Board will see its total funding rise from $125.1 million to $127.4 million.

Based on the board’s projected enrolment, that means per-pupil funding will go from $14,238 per student this school year, to $14,513 next year, an increase of 1.9 per cent.

At the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board, total funding is expected to increase from $69.7 million to $72.1 million.

With enrolment projected to increase slightly, the board’s per-pupil funding would rise from $14,355 for 2019-20, to $14,693 in 2020-21, a hike of about 2.3 per cent.

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