Today, the Minister of Education a focus on increasing school board accountability to protect students, families and taxpayer funds. We acknowledge the Minister’s remarks on the TDSB’s multi-year deficit and will be fully cooperating with the investigation.
The TDSB is committed to transparency and accountability in our budget-setting process. Each year, we consult with school communities to seek their input to support the decision-making process. In a report released earlier this year, staff identified several areas with opportunities to reduce spending and find efficiencies. As planned, at the April 30, 2025 Finance, Budget and Enrollment Committee meeting, staff will present options to balance the budget for Trustee consideration and decision making.
It is important to note that while Trustees will continue reviewing the budget to find savings, we have already cut millions of dollars from the TDSB budget over recent years in the face of significant financial challenges that impact our ability to meet student needs. These challenges - which disproportionately affect large urban boards - have been brought on by unfunded increases in statutory benefits (e.g. Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance), teacher salaries that are higher than the Ministry funding benchmarks, and the provincial moratorium on school closures. Further complicating the matter is an estimated $1,500 shortfall in per student provincial funding when adjusted for inflation.
We have also now received the report from the Ministry of Education with regard to the investigation into the Grassy Narrows River Run field trip. Following the field trip, we strengthened our excursion approvals process and provided clear direction to schools regarding field trips. In the fall, Trustees requested an expedited review of TDSB’s excursion policy and procedure, and it will be informed by the report’s recommendations.
As a Board, we will soon be holding a Special Meeting to discuss today’s developments. We will continue to centre our students in every decision we make as part of our core commitment to creating school environments where they belong, achieve and thrive.
Neethan Shan
Chair
Read the Minister's letter to the Chair.