The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is actively seeking additional funding from the Ford government as it faces a significant budget deficit of $58 million for the 2025-26 school year. The TDSB and the provincial government are currently at odds over strategies to manage and address this financial shortfall.
A recent report submitted to the board's budget committee proposed a variety of cost-saving measures to tackle this deficit, including the potential closure of swimming pools and the reduction of the Itinerant Music Program. These options have sparked considerable concern among stakeholders about the impact on students and educational quality.
Education Minister Paul Calandra expressed his disapproval of the TDSB's proposed measures, stating, “They should not do it on the backs of students. They should not do it by firing teachers, and they should not do it by closing down pools. That is not what I would allow to happen. There are other avenues to do it.” His comments reflect a commitment to ensuring that students' educational experiences are not compromised as the board navigates its financial troubles.
Calandra has issued warnings regarding the possibility of taking control of several school boards if they fail to balance their budgets, a move that has created an atmosphere of urgency within the TDSB. The board previously submitted a plan in the fall that aimed to reduce its deficit to $11 million; however, the Ford government rejected this proposal, prompting the appointment of a financial investigator to scrutinize the TDSB's finances.
The education minister remarked, “The investigators will certainly work through all parts of their finances and then make a suggestion to me whether additional action is required.” This scrutiny is expected to yield recommendations on how the TDSB can effectively manage its budget and address the looming deficit without compromising educational quality.
The TDSB has voiced that finding savings is a complex task and has urged Education Minister Calandra to engage in discussions about the budget pressures. The board has highlighted a shortfall of $1,500 in per-student funding, translating to over $300 million annually, further exacerbating its financial woes. Additionally, the TDSB has called for the lifting of the moratorium on school closures, arguing that it is incurring unnecessary costs to maintain underutilized and aging school buildings, which are no longer in good repair.
Furthermore, the TDSB is dealing with rising statutory benefits and salary costs for teachers and Early Childhood Educators, components that significantly contribute to its budget deficit. TDSB chair Neethan Shan emphasized the salary expenses, stating, “The actual pay that we give our staff... that is $70 million. Let me remind you our deficit is $58 million. That alone can address the deficit that we are facing.” His comments underscore the critical financial challenges the board is confronting in maintaining staffing levels and educational programs.
Trustees have welcomed the anticipated involvement of the province's financial investigator, who is expected to report back to Calandra by the end of the month. In light of the ongoing discussions, Calandra has confirmed his intent to meet with the TDSB to address its budgetary concerns. A special meeting of the budget committee is scheduled for May 15, although final budget decisions are not expected until late June, leaving the board and its students in a state of uncertainty as they await the outcome of these deliberations.
