Ford Government Considers School Closures Despite Moratorium

UPDATE: The Ford government is potentially paving the way for school closures across Ontario, even as a moratorium on such actions remains in place. Just announced, a spokesperson for Education Minister Paul Calandra confirmed that the government will explore “every option” for five school boards recently placed under provincial supervision, including the Toronto public and Catholic boards.

The moratorium on school closures, introduced in 2017, still technically stands, but officials are now seeking solutions to address the challenges faced by underutilized schools. According to the statement provided to CTV News on Tuesday, “In school boards under supervision, we have been clear that every option must be considered to restore stability and protect classroom learning.”

The urgency behind this move stems from escalating costs associated with maintaining small schools. It is estimated that the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) alone incurs over $10 million annually to operate underused facilities. Despite the Ontario government’s record investment of $30.3 billion in elementary and secondary education, school boards argue that these funds still fall short in supporting their needs.

Kathleen Woodcock, president of the Ontario Public School Board Association, highlighted that the current funding model is unsustainable. “The current situation has created unsustainable funding deficits,” she stated. “It costs the same to clean, heat, maintain, and keep the lights on in a school whether it is half empty or full.”

Woodcock expressed concern over the potential for decisions regarding school closures to be made without community consultation. Previously, guidelines required public meetings and timelines for closures, ensuring transparency in the decision-making process. “While we are pleased to hear that resources from underutilized schools would be redirected elsewhere, we should all be concerned about whether we should expect future decisions to be made from Queen’s Park with no consultation with the impacted communities across Ontario,” she warned.

The implications of this development are profound for students and families. Smaller schools face significant funding discrepancies, with costs per student ranging dramatically depending on school size. For instance, schools with fewer than 200 students see expenses between $8,376 and $18,358 annually, compared to $6,817 to $10,229 for schools with over 1,000 students, according to a report by Ontario’s auditor general.

As the situation unfolds, parents and educators are urged to stay informed about potential changes that could affect their communities. The Ford government’s latest actions signal a shift that could redefine educational access throughout Ontario. All eyes will be on the government’s next steps as discussions about underutilized schools ramp up, impacting thousands of students and educators across the province.

Expect updates as this developing situation continues to unfold and what it may mean for the future of education in Ontario.