The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is poised to eliminate hundreds of staff positions due to the expiry of special COVID-19 funding from the province, prompting concerns from education advocates.
The proposed staff reductions were included in a TDSB finance committee report presented at a special board meeting on Monday. If the changes are adopted, next year’s TDSB budget would account for 20 fewer secondary school guidance staff, 35 fewer special education support staff, 40 fewer school-based safety monitors and 35 fewer child and youth workers.
It found that many students across the province continue to struggle with the “aftereffects” of the pandemic, including increased behavioural issues, difficulties with self-regulation, and other unaddressed mental health challenges. “Including for the hiring of 7,000 additional education workers to support students. We provided $3 billion to the TDSB this year alone, and look forward to increased investments where students need it the most, focused on reading and math skills,” said Grace Lee.
However, other factors may also influence staffing allocation in the finalized budget, as the TDSB is forecasting a deficit of $61 million “due to Ministry funding gaps in a number of areas.” By law, the board is required to balance its budget each year by the end of June.
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