Fewer students means loss of 100 teaching jobs, Toronto board says

Musical chairs at the Tedious Bee

Toronto’s public board is looking at cutting more than 100 teachers as well as 45 early childhood educators for this fall as enrolment continues to decline.

In a report to trustees who sit on the budget and enrolment committee, board staff outlined a number of proposed changes, including 38 fewer elementary teachers, 64 fewer high school teachers and 45 ECE’s working in full-day kindergarten classrooms.

Also on the hit-list are 46 lunchroom supervisors, five caretakers and four secretaries. A final vote is expected March 9.

“The changes are based on declining enrolment,” said Trustee Ken Lister, who heads the budget committee, adding he fully expects they’ll be covered by attrition as opposed to layoffs.

It will, however, mean fewer teachers hired for this fall, though class sizes will remain the same, he added.

The Toronto District School Board saw fewer students this school year — expecting 245,162 but instead seeing 242,753 — in part because of an ongoing protest by parents who are upset with the updated sex-ed curriculum.  (more...)

Fewer students means loss of 100 teaching jobs, Toronto board says

More coverage:

TDSB is planning to eliminate some positions amid declining enrollment

Downsizing blues?

When You Really Need a Plan B -- Good Friends in Bad Times