Ontario’s public education system is facing a pivotal moment. The growing financial strain on school boards has reached concerning levels, with at least 40 of Ontario’s 72 publicly funded school boards now operating in deficit positions. This represents a significant increase from just two years ago when only 16 boards were in the red.
During a recent visit to Eastwood Public School in Windsor, I watched as a Grade 3 teacher juggled attention between 27 students, including four with identified special needs. The classroom aide who would normally provide additional support had been reduced to half-time due to budget cuts.
“We’re being asked to do more with significantly less,” explained Melissa Chen, the teacher who has spent 14 years in Ontario classrooms. “When basic services start disappearing, everyone feels it – especially the kids who need extra help.”
The Ministry of Education confirms that boards’ combined deficits have swelled to approximately $511 million, a staggering figure that has prompted increased provincial scrutiny. Education Minister Stephen Lecce recently directed Ontario’s Auditor General to review financial management at the Toronto District School Board, which faces a $26.7 million shortfall.
While addressing reporters at Queen’s Park last week, Lecce emphasized accountability. “Taxpayers deserve to know their education dollars are being used effectively,” he said. “We’ve increased per-pupil funding consistently, yet we’re seeing concerning financial decisions at the board level.”
But board officials and education advocates paint a different picture. They point to inflation outpacing funding increases, combined with growing special education needs and mental health supports that weren’t factored into provincial budgets.
“The math simply doesn’t add up,” said Cathy Abraham, president of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association. “When funding doesn’t keep pace with real costs, boards are forced into impossible choices between student needs and balanced budgets.”
Data from Statistics Canada shows education costs have risen approximately 18% since 2018, while per-pupil funding increases have averaged around 11% in the same period. This gap has created what education policy analyst Priya Sharma calls “a slow-motion funding crisis.”
The consequences are increasingly visible in communities across the province. In Thunder Bay, the Lakehead District School Board eliminated 43 educational assistant positions last year. The Waterloo Region District School Board reduced its music program offerings by 30%. And in Ottawa, the public board has increased class sizes in Grades 4-8 to the maximum allowed under provincial guidelines.
Parents are noticing the changes. At a recent Thames Valley District School Board meeting in London, more than 200 parents and community members packed the auditorium, many voicing frustration over program cuts.
“My daughter’s school no longer offers the specialized reading program that helped her overcome dyslexia,” said Michael Torres, father of a Grade 5 student. “The program still exists on paper, but there’s no longer staff to run it properly.”
The Ford government has repeatedly highlighted its education investments, pointing to a record $27.3 billion in education funding for the 2023-2024 school year. However, the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario noted in its spring report that when adjusted for inflation and enrollment growth, per-student funding has effectively decreased since 2018.
“It’s not just about the total dollar figure,” explained Dr. Kelly Gallagher-Mackay, education policy researcher at Wilfrid Laurier University. “When you factor in inflation, increased operational costs, and the growing complexity of student needs, boards are trying to stretch dollars further than they can reasonably go.”
The situation has created unexpected political dynamics. School boards – traditionally non-partisan bodies – have become increasingly vocal in pushing back against provincial funding levels. Last month, an unprecedented joint statement from 56 board chairs called for an immediate review of the education funding formula.
Meanwhile, the province has signaled it may take a more direct role in board financial management. Ministry officials have quietly floated the possibility of appointing financial supervisors to boards with significant deficits, similar to measures taken in the early 2000s.
For classroom educators, the financial debates translate into daily challenges. In Barrie, high school physics teacher James Williams now teaches classes of 34 students – up from 28 five years ago. “The curriculum hasn’t changed, but my ability to give individual attention certainly has,” he told me during a recent classroom visit.
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) has been tracking the impacts of financial constraints. Their member surveys indicate 73% of teachers report reduced access to classroom resources, while 82% note larger class sizes compared to five years ago.
As winter sets in across Ontario, school heating systems are another concern. Deferred maintenance due to budget constraints has created a $17 billion repair backlog in Ontario schools, according to Fix Our Schools, an advocacy group. Many boards now face hard choices between fixing aging infrastructure or preserving classroom programs.
At Eastwood Public School, I noticed students and staff wearing light jackets indoors. The principal explained the heating system was operating at reduced capacity to save costs until emergency repairs could be completed in January.
For families and communities caught in this financial squeeze, the path forward remains unclear. Provincial budget discussions for the coming fiscal year will be closely watched, with education advocates pushing for funding that reflects actual costs and student needs.
“This isn’t about politics – it’s about the future of our kids and our province,” said Chen, the Windsor teacher. As the afternoon bell rang and her students filed out, she added: “I just hope someone’s listening before the damage becomes too difficult to repair.”
