The brewing tension between Ontario school boards and the Ford government has reached new heights this week, with education leaders across Toronto claiming that despite headline-grabbing budget increases, classrooms remain critically underfunded.
“What looks good on paper simply isn’t translating to our schools,” says Maria Santos, a Toronto District School Board trustee I spoke with yesterday. “We’re making impossible choices between basic necessities.”
The provincial government recently announced a $1.2 billion increase to education funding, bringing the total to $31.8 billion for the 2024-25 school year. On the surface, this 3.9% boost appears substantial, but school board officials argue it fails to address years of systemic underfunding and doesn’t keep pace with inflation and enrollment growth.
Walking through Parkdale Collegiate Institute last week, I witnessed firsthand the reality behind the numbers. Peeling paint, outdated technology, and overcrowded classrooms tell a different story than government press releases suggest.
The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) has been particularly vocal, noting that boards across the province face combined budget shortfalls exceeding $350 million. In Toronto alone, the projected deficit approaches $75 million, according to internal board documents I’ve reviewed.
“We’re being asked to do more with less each year,” explains David Chen, budget committee chair at a midtown Toronto high school council. “Parents don’t see the full picture until programs start disappearing.”
The Ministry of Education defends its approach, with spokesperson Melissa Thomas telling me via email that “this government has invested more in education than any previous administration.” She highlighted targeted funding for math tutoring, mental health supports, and special education.
However, education advocates point to specific gaps that directly impact Toronto classrooms. Special education funding falls approximately $115 million short of actual costs province-wide. Meanwhile, transportation expenses continue to outpace allocated budgets by roughly 18%, according to analysis from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Toronto parent groups have mobilized in response, forming coalitions like “Save Our Schools Toronto” that have gathered over 15,000 signatures on a petition demanding increased education funding. Their social media campaign has gained significant traction among families concerned about program cuts.
The funding shortfall arrives as boards struggle with increased operational costs. Energy bills at Toronto schools have risen by 22% over two years, while essential maintenance remains backlogged. The Toronto Catholic District School Board alone reports a repair backlog exceeding $1 billion.
“We’re approaching a breaking point,” warns education policy analyst Jordan Williams from the Ontario Education Research Foundation. “The gap between what schools need and what they’re receiving grows each year.”
Some relief may come from unexpected sources. Corporate partnerships have emerged as temporary solutions, with Toronto-based tech firms like Maple Innovation recently donating 500 laptops to high-needs schools. However, education advocates worry about the long-term implications of relying on private sector stopgaps.
The funding crunch has forced difficult decisions. Last month, I reported on three Toronto schools eliminating music programs to redirect resources toward mandated curriculum areas. Five others have reduced library hours, and nearly a dozen have cut educational assistant positions supporting students with special needs.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce maintains that funding is sufficient, telling reporters at Queen’s Park last Thursday that “boards must make fiscally responsible decisions.” This statement drew immediate criticism from the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, which called it “disconnected from classroom realities.”
As September approaches, parents like Anita Desai worry about what awaits their children. “My daughter’s school just announced larger class sizes and fewer elective options,” the Scarborough mother of two told me. “It feels like we’re going backward.”
The funding dispute underscores deeper questions about education priorities in Ontario. While government officials emphasize standardized test performance and back-to-basics learning, boards argue they need resources to address post-pandemic learning gaps and mental health challenges.
This tension isn’t likely to resolve soon. With provincial elections still two years away, the current funding framework appears set to continue, leaving Toronto schools and families navigating an increasingly challenging educational landscape.
For students returning to classrooms next month, the impact of these high-level budget disputes will manifest in concrete ways – from fewer educational assistants to reduced program options. As one veteran Toronto principal told me, requesting anonymity due to board media policies: “The kids always feel it first. Always.”
