Dear Minister Lecce,
I am writing to you today, on behalf of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), to share my deep concern regarding funding of the Special Incidence Portion (SIP) of the Special Education Grant.
TDSB trustees were taken aback with the government’s decision to step away from the promised review of SIP claim funding. As you know, the costs of supporting a student with a SIP claim are significantly higher than the Ministry’s allocated amount. The Ministry’s SIP amount covers only a fraction of the cost to our school board that is required to properly support students with significant learning needs. The remaining amount must be covered through other Special Education and operational grants.
Inadequate funding of Special Education is putting our most vulnerable children at risk as we are forced to cut the supports and services that these students need to be successful inside and outside the classroom. The costs to support our students, particularly following the pandemic, continue to outpace the funding provided by the Province, and put further strains on our Board’s budget and resources.
On behalf of Canada’s largest school board, I am calling upon you to reconsider your decision, and to consider the true costs associated with SIP claims to support our students and increase funding accordingly. I urge you to also amend the Special Education funding model to accurately reflect the increased resources required to meet the complex needs of students with special needs.
I would welcome the opportunity to have you visit one of the TDSB’s congregate sites at your earliest convenience to highlight the support and funding we require to provide the best possible education and care to our most vulnerable students.
Sincerely,
Rachel Chernos Lin,
Chair, Toronto District School Board