TORONTO – Canada’s largest school board voted Wednesday night to eliminate 256 teaching jobs as part of an effort to address its deficit.
The cuts at the Toronto District School Board include special education and English as a Second Language positions.
The decision was made as the board approved a balanced budget plan to address a projected deficit of $16.5 million for the 2015-2016 school year.
Board chairman Shaun Chen says the positions to be cut include 88 at the elementary school level and 168 in secondary schools.
Chen said the cuts are expected to be achieved through retirement and attrition.
“Working together, Trustees and staff have come up with a responsible plan to balance next year’s operating budget,” Chen said in a media release.
“We are now focused on addressing our capital pressures and seeking provincial support for our capital needs.”
In addition to the job cuts, the board is considering a proposal that would see its downtown schools rent parking spots to the public after hours to raise money.
With a file from Global News
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