Duke Advocacy for Education

TDSB is currently developing the budget for the 2023/24 School Year and are projecting a $63.3 million deficit.  Cuts across all in school staffing categories on are on the table in order to balance the budget.

If you have concerns about the budget and government funding for education than join with like minded parents: 

Join East End Parents 4 Public Education: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322010878513304

As of June, 2023, known cuts to Duke staff for 2023/24 school year:  1 VP, Secretary (.5), Lunchroom Supervisors (3)

(September 2023 - cuts are confirmed as above)

(Summary from March 30 SC Meeting)

Education is a Provincial responsibility.  All funding is decided and provided by them.  TDSB has requested that they receive funding to cover pandemic costs (approximately $70 M).  The budget cannot be completed until TDSB is told by the Government how much funding they will receive in GSN (Grant for Student Needs) which is usually announced in February each year.

TDSB & Trustees must create a balanced budget.

The Finance, Budget and Enrolment Committee (FBEC), Trustee Committee, is responsible to collaborate with TDSB and vote on recommendations.  Their meetings (and all Trustee meetings) are public - you can watch via Zoom. (Meetings, Agendas, & Minutes)

Resources are at the bottom of the page - links to documents and additional information.

Weekly Actions by SC (most recent at the top):

Week of April 24:

2 Actions for Advocacy re funding: 1) Petition & 2) Call Premier

1) Petition:  Sign and share the petition for the legislature - EastEnd parents education petition.pdf    Please collect signatures at our school and in our community by Friday April 28 - you can drop your petition sheets to the School Council mailbox in the Main Office (or bring to the meeting on April 26).  The East End Parents 4 Education Group will collect all the petition pages from the various schools and take them to Queen's Park.  

Questions: their email:  eastendparents4education@gmail.com or Duke School Council:  dukeschoolcouncil@gmail.com

2) Call the Premier's Office:  Anytime 8.30am - 5pm you can reach someone from the Premier’s Office at 416-325-1941. Give them a call, share your concerns about what further cuts mean for your school, and ask them to put more money into our school board. You can ask them to take note for the Premier. This makes a difference! 

Week of April 17:

SC Continues to try to get a meeting with the Execustive Superintendent and Superintendent.

Encourage everyone to get friends and family to reach out to the provincial government with their concerns about funding for education.

Week of April 10: 

Continue to write letters to TDSB and Provincial Government

An East End Rally for Public Education is being organized for 

• Saturday April 15 from 11am-1pm at the Coxwell Parkettte (SW side Coxwell and Danforth) 
• Please come and bring the whole family! You can make signs before or we’ll have markers and old cardboard there for you to make your own.
• Join East End Parents 4 Public Education: https://www.facebook.com/groups/322010878513304/

Week of April 1, 2023

Focus is to continue pressure campaign regarding the VP Cut; (A) SC Chair Meeting Request with Exec Super & Super and (B) Letters to Exec Super & Super, and demanding the Provinical Government announce the Grant for Student Needs Funding (announcement is late, February typical timeframe) to faciliate Board planning and keep their promise to Students "to catch them up" by adequately funding education (Letter).

Letter to Govt re GSN (Grant for Student Needs funding)

Week of March 27, 2023

Focus was letter writing in response to notification of 1 VP cut and TDSB asking Provincial Government to reimburse pandemic expenses to assist with balancing their Budget.

Letter VP Cut

Letter Govt Pandemic Funding Request

Resources:

Financial Accountability in the Education System  (incl Audit Info)

Letter TDSB wrote to Government re Pandemic Funding

Developing the Budget  - TDSB page

School Based Staff Allocations (Part 1)

School Based Staff Allocations (Part 2)

Financial Facts: Revenues & Expenditures

Defecit Recovery Plan

Budget Process Presentation (explains the steps)