TDSB budget shortfall reaches $110-million
A meeting of the Toronto District School Board promises to draw its share of vocal participants Wednesday as the issue of job cuts goes up for a vote. As of Tuesday afternoon, the board is facing a $110million shortfall in its 20122013 budget, worse than
Q So what losses are we looking at?
A Staff recommended getting rid of 200 secondary school teachers, more than 100 elementary teachers focused on reading and numeracy, 40 vice-principals, 430 educational assistants and 130 office staff. Paradoxically, they suggested hiring 320 elementary teachers and 400 early childhood educators and lunchroom supervisors, all to deal with a boom of 400 all-day kindergarten classes. Each new class costs the TDSB $15,000, says Howard Goodman, chair of the TDSB’S Human Resources and Professional Learning Committee.
Q Why hire early childhood educators when you’re getting rid of educational assistants?
A Mr. Goodman says the province leaves the TDSB no choice. Ear l y childhood educators are mandatory for all-day kindergarten because they have a diploma from an accredited course, while educational assistants don’t necessarily have any special qualifications. But John Weatherup, president of CUPE 4400, the Toronto Education Workers union, says educational assistants are indispensable for dealing with about 3,000 children in the city with special needs who go undiagnosed. “They’re not interchangeable,” he said. “Even though you’re bringing in ECES, it won’t help with those students.” Q Why does this feel so rushed? A In a rare moment of TDSBunion harmony, Mr. Weatherup characterized the cuts as “really budget-driven numbers.” Mr. Goodman says because the TDSB can’t change the fact that schools open in September, that part of the budget always has to be decided at this time of year. But the province doesn’t co-operate. “Every year we have this problem where they’re late in giving us their information,” he said. “And that has been a … terribly serious problem.” This year, the TDSB is already four weeks behind schedule, and scrambling. Q Can’t we get more money? A Mr. Weatherup says it is partially Mike Harris’s fault, citing funding models introduced when Mr. Harris was premier. Mr. Goodman says the TDSB is provincially forbidden from raising tax, and so far Queen’s Park hasn’t given permission for any kind of fundraising, cute kiddie lemonade stands aside. “Frankly, we’re not a marketing organization,” he said. We’re stuck with our allowance on this one.
Q So does this mean our children won’t be getting a proper education?
A Historically, the TDSB has overstaffed its schools, Mr. Goodman says. So while it is undeniable that services are reduced along with staff, the cuts will boil down to an “incremental loss of service.” Mr. Goodman says other schools across the province have proven that such reduced staffing levels are manageable. But with jobs going out the window, Mr. Weatherup isn’t satisfied that quality won’t follow suit. “I don’t know that anybody’s looked at the ramifications … It’s a big step backwards.”