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Hello Ward 7 Families,
I hope you've had a positive start to the month, including the excitement of the solar eclipse last week. The international Day of Pink at TDSB was another phenomenal event where I was thrilled to share remarks on behalf of the Board. Also of significance this month is Eid al-Fitr which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. I extend warm wishes to all students, staff and families celebrating .
In the boardroom, trustees have had many meetings over several weeks considering develolpment of the 2024-2025 budget. Discussions have included staff proposals and trustee motions with potential system-wide and local impacts, to address the $34.8 million deficit. You can read more about the discussion, decisions, status, advocacy and upcoming town halls in the Budget Development section below as well as on the TDSB website.
I have also included other Board and Ward highlights, as well as an important code of conduct reminder. Within the upcoming weeks, I will also confirm a Ward 7 Council & Community meeting date, which will allow for conversation on the items of interest.
Wishing community members happy Latin-America History Month, Sikh Heritage Month, Earth Month, and upcoming Passover observance.
Yours in Community,
Debbie King
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Left: in the boardroom providing International Day of Pink remarks
Right: at Runnymede CI's community iftar with students, staff, and families
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Celebrating Good News: Possibilities Fair at Runnymede JSPS
This outstanding local event has been shared as a good news story across the TDSB. On March 31st, over 200 young women from TDSB schools were hosted by Runnymede Jr & Sr PS for an empowering conference with goals to build community connections and confidence within students who identify as female. It was my pleasure to address the girls and share personal insights about the opportunities and challenges faced by girls and women in leadership. They also heard inspiring messages from guest speaker MPP Bhutila Karpoche and keynote speaker Katina Papulkas.
The day also featured a variety of students sessions with focuses on career pathways, leadership skills building and well-being with activities including hands on exploration of the trades and coding, self expression through visual arts, and more. The afternoon concluded with an engineering design challenge lead by York University Lassonde School of Engineering’s Lisa Cole, Director of Programming | k2i academy.
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International Day of Pink at TDSB
On April 10th, the TDSB recognized International Day of Pink - a day of action on which we stand up against discrimination directed at 2SLGBTQ+ communities, particulalry homophobia and transphobia. Schools across TDSB tuned in for a live webcast from the TDSB's boardroom. It was my pleasure to share opening remarks about our duty as a board, and opportunity as individuals, to create safe inclusive learning spaces where students can be their true selves comfortably.
This year also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Brunswick Four, whose actions initiated a national conversation about queer and lesbian discrimination in Canada for the first time. There was an excellent panel discussion featuring two individuals from the group, along with captivating student performances from East York CI and Karen Kain School of the Arts.
It's also been great to see how the day was acknowledged in many of our Ward 7 schools.
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Code of Conduct Reminder for Families
Parents, caregivers, students, and community members are encouraged to share input on school and Board matters at appropriate council, consultation and committee meetings. In doing so, students and their families are expected to be responsible citizens digitally and in person.
Whether participating in a school council, consultation, or commitee meeting, online or in-person, the TDSB code of conduct and Provincial code of conduct apply. As students, families, staff, and trustees discuss issues of education and well-being, there won't always be agreement on ideas or shared opinions; however, all school community members must treat one another with dignity and respect at all times. Respect must be shown for Principals and staff, as people in authority, just as Principals and staff must provide an example of respect and civility for all members of the school community.
Further to reminders from your schools, and our commitment to safe spaces and respectful engagement, please ensure your family understands and abides by the code of conduct.
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2024-2025 Budget Development Update
Some backgroud on the deficit
Over recent years, the TDSB has approved a number of operational cuts to programs and services to reduce its deficit. However, these adjustments have not been sufficient to eliminate the deficit in its entirety (as outlined in a recent letter to the Minister of Education). Despite these reductions and operational efficiencies, the Board continues to grapple with a significant structural deficit created, in part, by provinical underfunding of statutory benefits and salaries. It is also due to the inability to 'right-size' schools and lack of reimbursement for COVID-19 expenditures. Learn more here.
We began the budget developmet process with a $34.8M deficit.
What's happpened so far, in our budget development
On March 19, staff presented a report with options to balance the budget. The options included proposed staffing reductions, program reductions, and fee increases. The proposed changes would directly impact
- central staffing,
- general interest courses,
- International Languages and African Heritage classes, and
- International Bacclaureate program,
- and more
On March 25th and 26th, public delegations were heard by trustees and staff.
On March 27th, trustees on the Finance, Budget and Enrollment Committee did not move the staff options to balance the budget, but instead substituted their own motion. The motion of subsitution considered extensive feedback received from the community, and ncluded the following staff recommended reductions:
• Central Staff ($5M)
• School Renewal ($5M)
• Supporting Staff Self-Wellness ($7M)
The motion of substitution also included delaying the implementation of some options to balance the 2024-25 operating budget to allow for further stakeholder consultation, including:
- International Language and African Heritage Program
- General Interest/Senior’ Daytime Courses
- Outdoor Education, and
- Permit Fees
A motion was moved on my behalf (I am not an FBEC member) to similarly delay any resumption of IB Fees to allow for stakeholder consultation. The motion was defeated 4-3.
On Thursday, April 4 at the Special Board Meeting, trustees added back vice-principals and school safety staff that increased the projected deficit budget to $43,5 million. Trustees then voted on the substitute motion (not the staff options to balance) to reduce the deficit by $17 million.
Following the Board decisions, the TDSB now faces a projected budget deficit of $26.5 million.
On April 17th, trustees held a press conference to address underfunding by the Ministry of Education.
What happens next
Three budget town halls have been scheduled to continue communication wih the public. Sessions will be held in the west, central and east part of the city. More information will follow but please note the following two meetings closest to Ward 7:
- April 29 6:30 - 8:30pm @ Weston CI
- April 30 2:00 - 4:00pm hybrid @ 5050 Yonge Street
Once the GSNs are announced (Education Funding), the deficit may increase or decrease. We are also concerned about increases to the structural deficit due to the provincial imposed remedy from Bill 124 which will increase the funding gap. We will be meeting again before our obligation to submit a balanced budget by June 30.
You can learn more on the entire budget process and financial facts on the TDSB website.
What you can do
- Connect with the Toronto Schools-Caregiver Coalition to stay in the loop of
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Boardroom Updates
The Chair shared a summary of the Board's advocacy over the past month including requests for childcare and mathmatics funding, plus support for a campaign to ban gambling ads. You can find all advocacy letters here.
Thr manyh items carried at committee and voted on at Board without further discussion included the renewed Multi-Year Strategic Plan, and a report on Student Demographics within French Immersion programs. This report was presented at the April Program and School Services Committee meeting, as a result of my motion carried in Fall 2023.
Two items were discussed: the Learning Opportunity Index (LOI) policy and the Fundraising Policy previously considered at the March Governance and Policy Committee meeting. The fundraising policy item included a recommendation that staff further explore and report on options for mandatory contribution to a system priorities fund by school councils. The meeting ended before discussion was complete so the item was tabled to be further considered at a future meeting. You can review the agenda and reports here and watch the video recording here (once available)
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Latin-America History Month
We celebrate Latin-America History Month during the month of April at the Toronto District School Board. This year’s theme is Weaving Our Legacies: Returning to Our Collective Path | Enlazar Nuestres Legados: Volver a Nuestre Camino Colectivo. Throughout April the TDSB has several activities planned for all students, staff, and wider communities. I invite you to find out more here.
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Sikh Heritage Month
The TDSB is proud to recognized Sikh Heritage Month during the month of April at the Toronto District School Board. This year’s the Sikh Heritage Month’s theme is Chardi Kala (The Positive and Uplifted State of Mind). Chardi Kala is a state of mind that radiates positive energy, optimistic attitude, strong confidence, and virtuosity. Activities are planned throughout the month. Please visit the TDSB webpage for more information.
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Know Your Worth Scholarship
The African Heritage Month Volunteer Planning Committee is pleased to announce that students of African Heritage graduating from a TDSB secondary school will be able to apply for three Know Your Worth Scholarships valued at $3,000 each. To find out more, please visit the information package and visit the web article here.
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Caution Regarding High Water Levels
The Toronto and Region Conservation monitors hazardous ice conditions as thaw begins and are reminding everyone to be very careful around all bodies of water. The first hint of warming weather and the promise of spring thaw can bring extreme danger to the shores and surfaces of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes, according to Toronto and Region Conservation. As warmer temperatures arrive, stream banks become increasingly slippery and unstable. Lake and river ice weakens, becoming thinner or with higher flows breaking with little or no warning.
During this time, the potential for flooding and ice jamming is high. Higher, faster-flowing water and extreme cold temperatures combine to create increased dangers on or near rivers, streams and ponds for people wishing to enjoy the seasonal changes. I encourage you to speak to your children about staying safe and staying away from stream banks, ponds and lakes.
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Steps to Address Your Questions & Concerns
Here at the TDSB, we are always open to hearing your questions and concerns and make every effort to address them as quickly as possible. Your child's classroom teacher is the first point of contact, followed by the school's principal, the school superintendent, and me, your Trustee! For more information, visit www.tdsb.on.ca/Contact-Us/Steps-to-Address-Questions-Concerns.
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