Statement on behalf of the Grand Erie District School Board: from Greg Anderson, Chair of the Board

As we continue to await more details from the Ministry of Education regarding funding for 2019-20, the Grand Erie District School Board is confirming the following staffing impacts for next year:

Elementary Teachers

• 21 teachers were declared redundant yesterday. Unfortunately, this means they do not have a position with Grand Erie in the fall.
• 37 teachers were declared surplus yesterday. This means they will have a position with Grand Erie in the fall; however, it could be at a different school.
• 34 Elementary System staff were declared surplus yesterday. This means they will be returning to the classroom in the fall and these supports for staff and students may not be offered in 2019-20.
  • Elementary System staff include teacher coaches and itinerant teachers who support students in a variety of ways (e.g., Education Technology, English Language Learners, Indigenous Education, Literacy and Numeracy Curriculum, Safe and Inclusive Schools, and Special Education).

Grand Erie redundant and surplus teachers at the elementary level are a result of changes announced by the Ministry of Education last month, the end of local priority funding, and the cancellation of some EPO (Education Programs – Other) grants.

Secondary Teachers

• 84 teachers were declared redundant today. Unfortunately, this means they do not have a position with Grand Erie in the fall.
• 20 teachers were declared surplus today. This means they will have a position with Grand Erie in the fall; however, it could be at a different school.
• Seven Secondary System staff were declared surplus today. This means they will be returning to the classroom in the fall and these supports for staff and students may not be offered in 2019-20.
  • Secondary System staff are itinerant teachers who support students in a variety of ways (e.g., Education Technology, Experiential Learning, Indigenous Education, Safe and Inclusive Schools, Special Education, and Transitions).

Grand Erie redundant and surplus teachers at the secondary level are a result of changes announced by the Ministry of Education last month, the end of local priority funding, lower enrolment, and the cancellation of some EPO (Education Programs – Other) grants.

The staffing impacts for Grand Erie in 2019-20 are deep and beyond anything the Board has experienced in recent years. Understandably, this is a very challenging and difficult time for impacted staff as well as those seeing colleagues who have been with the Board since as far back as 2012 affected by this news.

These are uncertain times for all school boards in Ontario. As we wait for funding details for 2019-20, we’re hopeful we’ll be provided with the resources we need to continue providing students the education they deserve as well as the unique and important programs that ensure Success for Every Student.

Background Information

• In 2017, Grand Erie had the following teachers declared redundant:
  • Elementary – 0
  • Secondary – 0
• In 2018, Grand Erie had the following teachers declared redundant:
  • Elementary – 0
  • Secondary – 59
• While the Board was pleased to see all of the redundant teachers in 2018 re-hired over the course of the 2018-19 school year, these teachers were not placed back into permanent roles.