GTA school boards cutting jobs, slashing course offerings
Around 800 positions are being cut at the Toronto District School Board alone as five school boards face provincial supervision.
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GTA students heading back to school in the fall will find their classrooms transformed by staff cuts and course cancellations as five school boards operate under provincial supervision.
The Toronto District School Board is cutting around 800 jobs, including 300 elementary teachers, 145 model school teachers, 72 English as a second language teachers, 40 special education assistants, and 150 lunchroom supervisors.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is phasing out its "Fifth Block" literacy program and moving most international language instruction from schooldays to Saturdays. Both York Catholic and Dufferin-Peel boards are losing teachers, with Peel facing an additional $4.7 million cut to special education.
Grade 11 student Ava Posteraro said drama and dance classes were initially cancelled at her TCDSB school, though student and parent intervention restored them—though the drama class will now blend multiple grades. Other courses have moved online only. "One of the biggest ones that shocked me personally was we only have one in-person calculus," she said. "Three other classes are left online, which is ridiculous to try and learn calculus online."
Education Minister Paul Calandra said supervisors are meant to refocus school boards on student success and good management. CityNews repeatedly reached out to the ministry for a comprehensive list of cuts but has not received a response.