email : Webview : May Update - TDSB Ward 15, Toronto

May 2023

Friends it’s been a disheartening few weeks, and this update is largely a call to take action.

The provincial government announced the majority of money it provides to the TDSB and other boards. NONE of the funding announced will result in the amount of funding that the TDSB – and our community - has been asked for. This means that the TDSB is going to be forced to make cuts as the province is not funding the board for the costs to aintain the staff that are currently in schools. Every school in our area will be affected and some are projected to lose significantly. Trustee received a preliminary update on April 26, and we expect to get a more detailed report on what this means on May 15.

What's more, the Doug Ford's government also introduced Bill 98 - the so-called 'Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act' - this legislation would give the Minister of Education more powers in areas that up to now have been matters for elected school board trustees, limiting the ability of local elected people like me to respond to local needs in our schools. One article summarizing is here: The Better Schools and Student Outcome Act: crushing what’s broken – School Magazine (educationactiontoronto.com)

Some of the proposed changes include giving the Minister of Education more power to

Sell, lease or dispose of all or part of school sites: Decisions about what happens to local school property should remain with elected trustees who serve their communities directly, it should not be a decision of the province. Think of what the provincial government is proposing to do with Ontario Science Centre and Ontario Place and then imagine what might happen if they had more powers over the sale of our kids’ school buildings.
Increase reporting to parents on student achievement, which I am hearing could open the door to more standardized tests imposed on our kids.
Set priorities in areas that could duplicate or redirect current efforts of the TDSB, like board improvement plans (which the TDSB has already)

So they are attacking public education on many fronts - through defunding and legislation to consolidate power.

Despite all of this, I am heartened to see the organizing taking place in our community. I stand with parents in our community who are again uniting in support of our schools and education workers. Please stand with us and be on the lookout for actions you can take – I’ve outlined several below, and will continue to update through this listserv and on social media at @trusteesara

I consider myself very lucky to representing this amazing and supportive community. There is much to do, but with your continued support, I will keep at it.

Take care, and thank you,
- Sara Ehrhardt
TDSB Trustee, Toronto-Danforth

Trustees Sara Ehrhardt and Michelle Aarts and 2 other people holding a no cuts to education sign

Take Action!

Thanks so much to everyone who has started spreading the word and taking action to fight the proposed budget cuts and Bill 98. We need to keep at it! Here’s more that we can do:

Make a submission on Bill 98: The Doug Ford Government is accepting written comments until 7pm May 9 here: 2023-May-9 Notice of hearings Standing Committee on Social Policy | Legislative Assembly of Ontario (ola.org) => click to make a submission and select Bill 98. They have also posted the Bill on Ontario's regulatory registry and are accepting written comments there until May 16: A Proposal for the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 (ontariocanada.com)
In your submissions consider noting:

concerns around proposals that will result in duplication and added burdens on board staff, or proposals that could further restrict the role of trustees
how important it is for decisions about what happens to local school properties remaining a decision for area trustees and not something for the province.

Call the Premier – call anytime 416-325-1941. Give them a call, share your concerns about what further cuts mean for your school, and ask them to put more money into our school board. You can ask them to take note for the Premier. This makes a difference!
Save the Date - MPP Phone Zap May 16 – East End Parents 4 Public Education is organizing an MPP ‘phone zap’ for Tuesday May 16 - save the date and stay tuned for more info!
Write to provincial Ministers – Here is a sample email to provincial ministers to start from:
Sign and share the petition for the legislature - Please collect signatures! Thank you for your help, every signature counts!

Recent Board Activity

Strategy to address Islamophobia: On April 26, I was proud to support a motion for the TDSB to develop a strategy to address Islamophobia. Several delegates bravely came forward to speak to the harms of Islamophobia in our schools and communities. Learn more about the anti-Islamophobia motion.

Motion on Bill 98: I am grateful that on very short notice, Trustees Neethan Shan and Dan MacLean advanced a motion on my behalf ensuring that the TDSB speak out on Education Bill 98 this month. The motion passed unanimously at the finance committee. You can read the motion on page 5 of this Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee report.

Upcoming at the Board

Motions may be brought forward during upcoming May committee meetings. You can see agendas and minutes for all committee meetings once they are posted, and find information on delegating during committee meetings.

LOI Review: Phase 1 of the Learning Opportunities Index (LOI) review will be discussed at the Governance and Policy Committee this Wednesday May 3 – this is an important review that stems from advocacy from our community. Learn more about the LOI policy review (PDF).

Budget Process: TDSB budget consultations will take place in June – time will be very tight. Additional dates may be added, but the first list of budget dates that have been announced include:

June 1 – Special finance committee to present options to balance the TDSB budget

Week of June 5 – public webinars on the budget
June 12 – Special finance committee meeting to hear delegations
June 22 – Special finance committee meeting to develop budget recommendations
June 28 – full board meeting on the Budget

pandemic recovery is not over infographic

Our Schools

Pollinate TO grants: congratulations to William Burgess, Frankland, and Queen A who received Pollinate TO grants this year! Read more about the Pollinate TO grants.

100-year anniversaries: RH McGregor is holding 100 year anniversary celebrations Saturday May 27 from 1-4pm. Learn more about the RH McGregor 100^th anniversary.

Stay tuned! Bruce PS and Danforth CTI will also be holding 100-year celebrations taking place later in the year.

Our Community

THANK YOU to everyone who joined for the Rally for Public Education on April 15 – it was wonderful to reconnect and strategize! Watch media coverage of the event.

The Danforth Nature and Climate Expo 2023 is taking place May 6, from 11-2 at Wilkinson school, I look forward to seeing many of you there! Rain date is May 13.

Other News: Get Vaccinated

For those 5 years and older who have not yet received a Covid-19 booster dose since September 1st, 2022, it is recommended to receive a booster dose (if it has been at least six months since their last dose or confirmed COVID-19 infection). Toronto Public Health (TPH) is also expanding access to the nine children's vaccines required under Ontario’s Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA). Read more about immunization and booking a vaccine.

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Trustee Update

Take Action!

Recent Board Activity

Upcoming at the Board

Our Schools

Other News: Get Vaccinated