TDSB warns of cuts to student programs if Ontario does not reimburse pandemic-related costs.
The Toronto District School Board is asking the Ontario government to repay pandemic-related costs it incurred, warning that failure to do so could lead to cuts in student programs and services amid a $61 million deficit for the next school year,
They said the board used about $70.1 million to ensure that Toronto public schools met health guidelines and provided a safe environment for staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chernos Lin and Russell-Rawlins wrote in the letter the TDSB used and depleted its reserves to implement COVID-19 safety measures by provincial and Toronto Public Health officials. In the letter, they provided reducing class sizes as an example in which the board’s reserves were used.
“Once again, we are asking that the provincial government similarly recognize the impact of the pandemic on the TDSB’s financial situation and reimburse the board for pandemic costs that were required to keep students, staff and the community safe,” they wrote. The ministry gave the school board more than $31.5 million through the COVID-19 Learning Recovery Fund in each of the previous two school years that allowed the hiring of 485 additional staff, including social workers, child and youth workers, and caretaking and vice-principals.
“As you can imagine, given the rise in violent incidents involving youth in Toronto, the reduction of adults in our building and correlating loss of support to our students is a major cause for concern and may compromise school safety. With the effects of the pandemic, cuts to funding seem reckless and harmful to students, now more than ever. This funding must continue.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
No sign Ontario budget will bail out Toronto, says Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvieDeputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie says Premier Doug Ford’s government has given no sign its incoming provincial budget will include money to plug the gaps in Toronto’s COVID-ravaged finances.
Read more »
Ontario Liberal Mitzie Hunter plans to resign seat to run for Toronto mayorLiberal MPP Mitzie Hunter says that she is 'all in' for Toronto’s mayoral by-election, becoming just the latest high-profile candidate to signal an intention to join the race.
Read more »
Ontario Liberal Mitzie Hunter plans to resign seat for Toronto mayoral bidThe Scarborough-Guildwood MPP is preparing to formally declare a mayoral bid next week. The nomination period is expected to open on April 3
Read more »
Ontario Liberal Mitzie Hunter plans to resign seat for Toronto mayoral bid | National NewswatchNational Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views. Make it a daily habit.
Read more »
Ontario Liberal Mitzie Hunter plans to resign seat for Toronto mayoral bidAn Ontario Liberal member of provincial parliament says she is planning to resign her seat in order to run in the Toronto mayoral race.
Read more »