Toronto's schools face $15M and $40M deficits despite provincial oversight

The Toronto District School Board is projecting a $15 million deficit for the 2026-2027 school year, even after discovering $59.5 million in savings through staffing reductions and cuts to discretionary spending.

The TDSB is among eight school boards under provincial control due to alleged financial mismanagement and unsustainable deficits. A preliminary deficit of almost $75 million was whittled down through what the board calls "previously announced central staffing reductions," though the final $15 million gap remains despite the cost-cutting.

The board says it will maintain direct teaching support for math and literacy, and will keep school-based staffing levels in Special Education and Mental Health despite enrolling approximately 5,000 fewer students next year.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Catholic District School Board is projecting a deficit of almost $40 million next year — down from an initial projection of $65.3 million but virtually unchanged from the $39.6 million deficit recorded in 2025-26. Supervisor decisions and savings measures account for almost $26 million in reductions, including cuts to international languages programs and administrative reductions. The TCDSB expects to see almost 1,500 fewer students next year, with projected revenue decreasing due to demographic shifts and reduced English as Second Language funding.