Public packs TDSB meeting to rail against cuts

More than 100 people signed up to voice concerns over proposed 2024-25 operating budget

Members of the public turned out in droves on Tuesday evening for the first of two special meetings at the Toronto District School Board, urging trustees not to raise permit costs, cut programming or reduce staff as they try to balance next year’s budget and grapple with a $20.8-million deficit.

About 155 people — parents, students, union representatives and community members — signed up to voice their concerns over the proposed 2024-25 operating budget, prompting the board to add a second meeting for submissions, which is scheduled for Wednesday.

At Tuesday’s finance, budget and enrolment committee meeting, trustees listened as many speakers pushed back against budget cuts.

“Ontario is in an educational crisis and we need the largest school board to show some leadership. Please vote for a no-cuts budget,” said Katrina Matheson, part of a group of parents called the Toronto Schools Caregiver Coalition, which has garnered more than 500 signatures of support. “The Ministry of Education should be pouring money into schools … Instead we’re here talking about cuts.”

Last week, TDSB staff suggested cuts and efficiencies to balance the budget. They include eliminating weekend trips to Scarborough Outdoor Education School at Camp Kearney, increasing fees to outdoor education day centres, reducing the number of sites where international language programs are offered, increasing permit fees and eliminating general interest and seniors’ daytime programming known as Learn4Life.

Recent graduate Ahmed Hawamdeh said the proposed restructuring of the international language programs — shifting course times, increasing class sizes and decreasing locations — will “reduce access” and “further marginalize families that already feel the brunt of existing systemic barriers.”

John Weatherup, president of the Toronto Education Workers CUPE Local 4400, said eliminating seniors’ programs “will be detrimental to hundreds, if not thousands of our seniors.”

The TDSB is facing a $20.8-million deficit; however it could rise to $27.6 million if a motion is approved to reinstate 28 vice-principals and 25 safety positions, which were reduced in the original projection. (The projected deficit will increase to $43.5 million if the board is not permitted to use money it has from the sale of surplus property.)

Jennifer Huang said that last year her children’s school lost a viceprincipal, an office administrator and three lunchroom supervisors, adding “My children come home and tell me, ‘My teacher is stressed’ … Of course they’re stressed because everybody is trying to do more with less.”

Gwendolyn Moncrieff-Gould, director of public policy and engagement of BGC Canada, the largest dedicated child and youth-serving charity in the country, said introducing or increasing permit fees will jeopardize programming and impact those “most in need.” BGC clubs run after school programs, at low or no cost, in 52 TDSB schools.

“As non-profits serving the most at-risk communities in the city, clubs and the families we work with, just don’t have the means to pay any additional permit fees. … I’m here to urge you to avoid balancing the budget on the backs of community organizations like BGC clubs.”

At last week’s meeting, TDSB Director of Education Colleen Russell-Rawlins said “We have done our best to mitigate the direct dayto-day impact on students and our operations … Our goal has been to focus on preserving, to the best extent possible, our services, and to focus on K-12.”

A spokesperson for Education Minister Stephen Lecce said that the TDSB has run large annual deficits on many occasions over the last 20 years. And despite fewer students over the last five years, “our government increased funding to TDSB by $128 million dollars ... We continue to expect TDSB to get back-to-basics in the classroom, and balance the budget as nearly every other school board has managed to do in this province.”

On April 2, staff will provide more details on their proposals. On April 4, the committee is expected to vote on options. Afterwards, the budget is voted on by the full board of trustees. Boards are required to submit balanced budgets to the Ministry of Education by June 30.

‘‘ My children come home and tell me, ‘My teacher is stressed’ … Of course they’re stressed because everybody is trying to do more with less. JENNIFER HUANG, PARENT