On Tuesday, elementary school teachers rallied outside the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) head office to show solidarity with their colleagues from Bowmore Road Junior and Senior School, who have recently faced serious disciplinary actions. In a shocking development, eight teachers have been suspended, two have been terminated, and both the principal and vice-principal have been dismissed from their positions at the Upper Beaches elementary school.
Helen Victoros, President of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto, described the dismissals as “absolutely unprecedented” and expressed deep concern regarding the impact on the school community. “It’s totally gutted the school community. The students are reeling. Parents are reeling. The teachers that have been impacted [are] so distressed. They want nothing more than to get back into Bowmore and be able to teach the students that they love,” she stated. However, she refrained from providing details regarding the reasons behind the dismissals.
This latest incident comes amidst a backdrop of escalating issues within the TDSB, marking a period of turbulence for the educational institution. Parents, including Rebecca McBride, have voiced their frustrations, demanding more transparency from the TDSB regarding the situation at Bowmore. “We are not getting a lot of information so it’s hard because we all have hearsay and thoughts. We really want transparency,” McBride said.
Concerns regarding bullying and safety at Bowmore were initially raised last spring, which have since evolved into the rapid suspension and dismissal of multiple educators in a matter of days. McBride highlighted the distressing experiences of her child and other students, saying, “My kiddos have asked to come home for lunch because they’re tired of others stealing their food … there’s a lot that goes on in the bathrooms at school.” These reports reflect a broader sense of instability that has permeated the school environment.
The situation escalated further when students in grades 7 and 8 underwent a transition from a rotary-style learning model to a core model, where one teacher manages most subjects within a homeroom setting. This shift incited protests from parents last fall, particularly after increasing teacher workloads led to the cancellation of extracurricular activities for all students.
“The bullying happens to everyone. The problem is that we don’t have the support system,” added McBride, indicating the pervasive nature of the issues affecting students and staff alike. In response to the community's escalating concerns, a two-page letter issued by the TDSB indicated that the Regional Internal Audit Team, which is funded by the Ministry and operates independently from the TDSB, would conduct an audit of Bowmore to assess safety, rules, and procedures. Interim Director of Education Stacey Zucker reassured families that the focus remains on providing stable leadership and a supportive learning environment.
The letter also mentioned that new leadership, including a new principal and vice-principal, has been appointed to the school. McBride expressed her dismay over the situation, stating, “This is a second home for my child. They should feel safe. They should feel happy. And they should have some of their basic needs met.”
Victoros speculated that the decision to remove staff members was not solely a board initiative but rather a decision made under provincial supervision. “We believe that this is taking place right now under provincial supervision. We can’t imagine a decision of this magnitude would not have come across the premier or the minister’s desk,” she asserted. The TDSB is one of several school boards currently under provincial control due to alleged mismanagement, with supervisors now replacing school trustees.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Education Minister Paul Calandra’s office were met with a referral back to the TDSB's letter, reiterating that there would be no further statements. Victoros concluded by advocating for the teachers impacted by these decisions: “Right now, we want a reversal of these decisions and to get these teachers back in the classrooms that they love. I don’t know who the winners are with this decision. It’s certainly not the students or the teachers or the school community, and we absolutely believe that the supervisor must have known about this.”
