Toronto public high school teachers who have been laid off are “frustrated” following a “sombre” information meeting with board staff on Thursday to discuss next steps.Those in attendance were told the Toronto District School Board has cut 109 full-time teaching positions, which impacts 155 people. And while it’s possible some may be recalled or moved into occasional teaching positions, others will remain unemployed.“We anticipate that out of the 109 current full-time positions that are currently laid off, close to 80 may be recalled during the year,” board spokesperson Ryan Bird told reporters.He said the TDSB will have a better idea how many teachers it will recall once it gets a clearer picture of the enrolment figures and specific needs for the 2019-20 academic year.“Unfortunately, though, it still means there are people who continue to be laid off.”Job losses at Canada’s largest school board — with 582 schools serving 246,000 students — are the result of budget cuts, provincially-mandated changes to class size averages and a reduction in funding grants from the government.Simone Martin — an occasional teacher for a year before landing a full-time contract last year — feels like she’s “back to square one.”“I’m very frustrated,” said Martin, 30, after the meeting. “It’s a little bit disheartening that I now have to start again.”She said she feels like she’s in “limbo,” noting, “It’s difficult to plan a life around uncertainty and, unemployment, basically.”Education Minister Stephen Lecce, speaking to reporters in Milton after announcing new money for French language schools, said the province’s four-year, $1.6 billion attrition fund is protecting teaching jobs. “Overwhelmingly, we are seeing the recall of educators across the province,” he said, which will continue over ...
|
