In the ongoing debate about education funding in Ontario, NDP education critic Chandra Pasma emphasizes that focusing on school trustees’ expenses, such as milkshakes and projectors, distracts from more pressing financial problems faced by school boards. The Ford government has been scrutinizing trustees’ expenditures, arguing they signify mismanagement within the education sector. However, critics believe this campaign overshadows the alarming trend of increasing deficits among school boards, which are attributed to the government’s failure to keep up with inflation and rising operational costs in education. Internal documents reveal that the number of school boards reporting deficits has surged significantly, with the collective deficit across the province nearing $200 million last year.
Pasma contends that the narrative around trustee expenses misrepresents the root issues affecting education funding. She asserts that the problems originate from provincial underfunding rather than management shortcomings within the boards themselves. Past financial outcomes were more favorable, with many boards reporting surpluses, but recent data indicates a troubling shift—a consistent decline in financial health since the 2021-22 school year. The briefing prepared for Minister Paul Calandra confirmed that consecutive deficits have been reported, contradicting the earlier trend of surplus.
In numerical terms, while there was a net surplus of $211 million in 2020-21, this has morphed into a net deficit of nearly $196.4 million for the upcoming 2024-25 school year, with projections indicating that many boards will continue to struggle financially. Pasma highlights the mismatch between the province’s funding and the actual costs incurred by the education sector, advocating for increased funding to align with rising enrollment numbers and inflation. She stresses that any investigations ordered by the government will yield the same conclusion: the root of the issue lies in insufficient resources.
Calandra, however, has chosen to spotlight trustee spending as evidence of mismanagement. His office presented expenditures from the Toronto Catholic District School Board as proof, including questionable purchases that included tech accessories. Additionally, he demanded repayment from the board’s chair for nearly $7,000 in expenses. Critics argue this focus detracts attention from broader funding issues, calling out Calandra’s own spending patterns to back their claims of hypocrisy.
Organizations representing school boards are also raising alarm over increasing financial deficits in light of years of funding that has failed to keep pace with inflation. Kathleen Woodcock, president of the Ontario Public School Boards Association, underlines the urgent need for increased funding to ensure quality education delivery. She mentions particular challenges posed by rising special education costs and mandates, as well as significant pension obligations, which further strain board budgets.
Despite assurances from the ministry about record funding for education and a renewed focus on accountability, concerns persist among educators and advocates. They assert that true accountability cannot occur without adequate funding that meets real costs, suggesting that the Ford government’s focus on discretionary spending instead of addressing systemic funding challenges could ultimately hinder the quality of education provided to Ontario students. The contention around the handling of school board finances, therefore, remains a critical issue entwined with broader debates about the direction of educational policy in the province.
