Toronto Star: ‘An Educational Crisis’: Parents, Students Rally Against Proposed TDSB Cuts
The Toronto District School Board is considering axing programs, as it faces a $20.8 million deficit for the upcoming school year. (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star File Photo)
Members of the public turned out in droves on Tuesday evening for the first of two special meetings at the Toronto District School Board, urging trustees not to raise permit costs, cut programming or reduce staff as they try to balance next year's budget and grapple with a $20.8 million deficit.
About 155 people — parents, students, union representatives and community members — signed up to voice their concerns over the proposed 2024-25 operating budget, prompting the board to add a second meeting for submissions, which is scheduled for Wednesday.
At Tuesday's finance, budget and enrolment committee meeting, trustees listened as many speakers pushed back against budget cuts, with some suggesting the TDSB make no cuts at all.
"Ontario is in an educational crisis and we need the largest school board to show some leadership. Please vote for a no-cuts budget," said Katrina Matheson, part of an informal group of parents called the Toronto Schools Caregiver Coalition, which has garnered more than 500 signatures of support. "The Ministry of Education should be pouring money into schools … Instead we're here talking about cuts."
