Sep 02, 2025 • Last updated Sep 02, 2025 •
A Southwestern Ontario classroom is shown in this 2022 file photo.
Fewer courses. Larger classes. Cuts to special education. Police back in high schools.
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As Thames Valley District school board’s approximately 83,000 students returned to their classrooms earlier this week, they may find a different atmosphere due to significant cuts that include job losses, reduced support for special needs, and the elimination of 42 positions at the central board office totaling $4.7 million, insiders say.
Last year, the London-based school board laid off hundreds of staff as part of budget tightening efforts to address a deficit now reaching $32 million against an annual budget of around $1.2 billion.
Union leaders indicate that students are likely to bear the brunt of these reductions.
“The truth is, students are the ones most impacted when classrooms don’t have the resources they need,” said Michael Thomas, president of the Thames Valley district of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.
“Larger class sizes, fewer supports, and less access to specialized programming are all very real risks when the provincial funding formula doesn’t keep pace with today’s educational realities.”
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“We anticipate that budget cuts will lead to serious consequences like diminished support for both special education programs and mental health services,” he stated.
A few years ago many Ontario boards including Thames Valley District halted or canceled resource officer programs because certain student groups especially Indigenous Black communities felt uncomfortable or intimidated.
This shift occurred post George Floyd’s murder – an incident igniting widespread Black Lives Matter protests beginning from Minnesota back then. In late May Calandra introduced legislation aimed at boosting provincial oversight over school boards Children Aid Societies colleges universities; serving mainly response financial mismanagement several boards suffered-including Thames Valley itself. This act mandates implementation officers where local police forces offer them starting this academic year. Thomas , ETFO president locally described reinstating police presence within schools simply being “a distraction away from pressing issues impacting our educational system.”
“The Ford government seems focused using these measures divert attention away ”from a staggering gap created worth $6.35 billion surrounding public funding,” he asserted adding importantly; “Students deserve proper resources teachers helps-not increased policing.” Thames Valley officials refrained commenting regarding potential relaunch areas involving police-in-schools initiatives.A BOARD WITHOUT TRUSTEES
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A YEAR OF TURMOIL
This year marks one of the toughest periods in Thames Valley’s history as its roughly 83,000 students head back from summer break into what insiders describe as a potentially altered landscape. The board’s elected trustees were placed under supervision by Education Minister Paul Calandra after struggling with significant deficits over the last two years. The province appointed Paul Boniferro as supervisor in April following a Pricewaterhouse Coopers audit triggered by a costly three-day staff retreat at Toronto’s former Sky Dome hotel last August-details uncovered by The Free Press. Soon after that incident, education director Mark Fisher went on paid leave before eventually leaving his position permanently months later. Bill Tucker returned from retirement to take over leadership responsibilities again. Since April’s supervision order took effect, trustees have lost their decision-making power along with their annual pay of $18,000. The administration now reports directly to Boniferro. This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.LARGER CLASS SIZES
The increasing class sizes top concerns for industry experts and union representatives alike. “We’re very concerned for the students due to recent cuts and changes that have taken place,” said Mary Henry, president of CUPE Local 4222 representing around 1,600 employees including secretaries and early childhood educators.<p“For instance having more than 30 students per class could result in many slipping through unnoticed.” Her concerns also extend to staffing shortages as well as insufficient supplies for cleaning and maintaining buildings alongside necessary assistance for those needing help due to various diagnoses or conditions affecting speech or hearing capabilities. “We worry about how it will impact their abilities.”CUTBACKS IN SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
John Bernans from Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation expressed worries about “the erosion of professional supports” which could amplify ongoing concerns regarding safety and incidents within classrooms.
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He mentioned he’s “deeply concerned” about what he sees as chronic underfunding within public education across Ontario.“We anticipate that budget cuts will lead to serious consequences like diminished support for both special education programs and mental health services,” he stated.
A recent survey conducted by Canadian Union of Public Employees among educational workers highlighted that an overwhelming majority (96.9 percent) reported experiencing violent or disruptive incidents during work hours.
Nineteen percent indicated such events happen daily according to findings from this survey.
Bernans also fears reduced access for students when it comes technology availability along with fewer extracurricular activities and limited course selections due too funding falling behind inflation rates.
“These challenges will hit families with lower incomes hardest who might be expected fill gaps left unaddressed,” he added.
The future direction taken by public education in Ontario largely depends upon whether Ford government opts “to prioritize it genuinely,” Bernans noted.
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POLICE BACK IN SCHOOLS
A few years ago many Ontario boards including Thames Valley District halted or canceled resource officer programs because certain student groups especially Indigenous Black communities felt uncomfortable or intimidated.
This shift occurred post George Floyd’s murder – an incident igniting widespread Black Lives Matter protests beginning from Minnesota back then. In late May Calandra introduced legislation aimed at boosting provincial oversight over school boards Children Aid Societies colleges universities; serving mainly response financial mismanagement several boards suffered-including Thames Valley itself. This act mandates implementation officers where local police forces offer them starting this academic year. Thomas , ETFO president locally described reinstating police presence within schools simply being “a distraction away from pressing issues impacting our educational system.”“The Ford government seems focused using these measures divert attention away ”from a staggering gap created worth $6.35 billion surrounding public funding,” he asserted adding importantly; “Students deserve proper resources teachers helps-not increased policing.” Thames Valley officials refrained commenting regarding potential relaunch areas involving police-in-schools initiatives.
A BOARD WITHOUT TRUSTEES
Outspoken Middlesex trustee Christian Sachs who together other trustees have lost authority until atleast next cycle expressed concern focusing on board lacking representation under current supervision status. “Aside lacking direct advocacy channels available families I believe shifts towards bureaucratic approaches hinder understanding specific local needs ,” she remarked adding; Parents no longer possess means influencing decisions made via trustee role present previously operating within governing body. Checks balances essential ensuring priorities focused primarily around benefiting pupils vanished entirely according her insights claiming; “There simply aren’t meetings/reports accessible allowing feedback nor anyone really listening anymore.”
SOLUTION OUTLOOK Thames Valley remains striving earnestly towards meeting staff/student requirements while working alongside its allocated budgets confirmed Thomas. Nevertheless he emphasized viewpoint suggesting underlying funding structure established seemingly doesn’t provide adequate means satisfying demands fully encountered overall context. “That’s why conducting thorough reviews related existing formulas essential ensuring funds accurately reflect true necessities faced throughout educational settings ” stressed Thomas voicing optimism further citing incoming comprehensive adjustments possibly taking place soon enough following upcoming sessions commencing fall season ahead. Kasman anticipates possible transformations coming forth prompted Queen’s Park especially concerning governance structures statewide transforming completely leading influx cash provided organizations addressing ongoing issues presently endured. “The challenges we face right now can indeed be resolved!” she concluded emphatically reiterating shared aspirations looking forward bringing positive changes enhancing experiences offered each child enrolled across our systems. HRivers Read More
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