The Results are in! Pandemic Recovery Is Not Over
Following a Board motion, the TDSB recently issued a survey to our parents/ guardians/ caregivers to gauge their opinions on the impacts of the pandemic. The results of the survey show that 7 in 10 of the nearly 18,000 TDSB parents/ guardians/ caregivers who completed the survey believe that the impacts of the pandemic are still being felt by their children. It is clear that for the vast majority of families, the pandemic recovery is far from over.
We have asked that the province recognize this reality with appropriate funding to support students next year.
The TDSB is deeply concerned that the Ministry has indicated that it is ending pandemic funding ($31.5 million annually over the past two years). This funding was crucial in allowing the TDSB to put an additional 485 staff resources into our schools. These extra staff, including Teachers, Vice-Principals, Special Education Support Staff, Child and Youth Workers, and other positions, have provided crucial support to students over the past two years. Without this funding, the TDSB will be forced to reduce these positions for next year and we are very worried about the ramifications to student well-being. Parents/guardians/caregivers agree, with 86% of those who completed the survey stating that this funding should continue.
Lastly, 90% of TDSB parents/guardians/caregivers believe that the Ministry should fully or partially cover the $70 million that the TDSB spent on pandemic-related costs. As you know, throughout the pandemic, the TDSB has done everything possible to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff and community.
Toronto was an epicentre of the pandemic in Canada for approximately two years – during which the TDSB worked closely with Toronto Public Health (TPH) to implement directions and advice such as reducing class sizes, and cohorting at lunch to keep students and staff as safe as possible – all while maintaining learning. As a result, the TDSB incurred approximately $70 million in pandemic-related costs that were not covered by the Ministry of Education. This was used on measures like smaller class sizes, technology to support virtual learning and additional PPE.
Prior to the pandemic, the TDSB faced a structural deficit due to the misalignment between TDSB commitments and the Provincial funding formula. It was not possible to address this structural deficit during the pandemic as every available resource was needed to support student and staff safety and continued learning.
As a result, the TDSB now faces a deficit of approximately $63.2 million for the 2023-24 school year according to the Board’s Preliminary Operating Financial Position. We have depleted any working reserves and used reserves put away for other purposes to support smaller class sizes, technology for virtual learning, PPE and other pandemic measures. If the pandemic costs incurred by the Board were reimbursed by the Ministry, the TDSB would have additional funding to support its current financial shortfall without having to reduce programs and services for students.
With the announcement of the 2023 Ontario Budget, we welcome investments in areas such as early reading and Math. However, we were very disappointed that the budget did not address millions in pandemic related costs being faced by the TDSB and other school boards across the province – or any continuation of COVID-19 funding that has funded important positions as we emerge from the height of the pandemic.
If you share our concerns, please join us in our advocacy by emailing the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce at Stephen.Lecceco@pc.ola.org. The pandemic recovery is not over!
