TDSB will not cut 140 EA positions, for now

Almost one-third of the Toronto District School Board's (TDSB) educational assistants (EA) still have their jobs as the TDSB narrowly voted against cutting funding for 140 positions in next year's budget.

Through the cuts the board would have saved $5.7 million in an attempt to address an estimated $17-million deficit next year, an amendment by trustee Irene Atkinson put the kibosh on staffing cuts for the time being.

Trustee Cathy Dandy made a heartfelt speech supporting Atkinson's amendment, generating applause from a board that ended up supporting the amendment and the larger motion outlining general staffing allocation.

"EAs help with all types of problems and failures in our system, not just assisting with Grade 1 and Kindergarten classes," said Dandy. "These EAs shore up the flood of problems that some principals see flow through their offices."

The same motion also included minor additions and cuts to other positions, but most notably authorized the hiring of 190 early childhood educators (ECE). The board doesn't currently employ any ECEs, but will receive funding from the provincial government to cover their salaries. Depending on demand for full-day kindergarten, even more of these staff may be required.

The result of the motion passed in the general meeting on Wednesday, March 10 is that staffing levels will slightly increase for the next school year. Many trustees are left wondering how they are expected to balance their budget without cutting staff when employees represent 84 per cent of board expenditures.

Nine of 22 trustees opposed keeping the EAs, feeling they were going to need to cut staff somewhere down the road regardless.

"We are going to be cutting some folks because we just don't have many inanimate objects to get rid of anymore," said trustee Sheila Ward. "We are trying to (keep them) for the right reasons... but we have to face a budget reality."

Part of the decision to keep the staff was influenced by confusion over whether staff currently employed as EAs were qualified to be hired as early childhood educators. Senior TDSB staff were confident at least 25 had applied and were qualified, but the majority would need to complete a two-year college program before they could be considered.