Trustees with the Toronto District School Board approved the 2025-26 operating budget during their Regular Meeting yesterday evening.
In approving the budget, Trustees agreed on a plan to balance the budget and eliminate a $34.4 million deficit over the next two years.
The 2025-26 budget invests an additional $2 million in special education to support the needs of students in the TDSB. It also invests $1 million in music education to support a renewed music program where new instruments would be distributed across the system, while increasing teacher training for musical instruction. Further to this, Trustees have asked the Director of Education to consider additional funding for this program.
Pools and aquatics instructors will continue to be available to students and community members for another year, as staff continue to seek ongoing arrangements for more pools to be privately leased while working with the City of Toronto on the use of TDSB pools.
The two-year plan results in a $2.3 million deficit in 2025-26 and a $0.3 million surplus in 2026-27, and also includes:
- A request for one-time use of $13.7 million from Proceeds of Disposition (money earned from the sale of board property).
- A pause on issuing new Chromebooks for students in 2025-26 and recirculating devices returned by graduating Grade 12 students.
- Projected savings from an Attendance Support Program, aimed at addressing sick-leave-related costs.
- Reduced spending by central departments by $9.5 million in operating expenses that have limited impact on services.
- Increased fees for general interest and other Continuing Education programming.
While the budget has been approved by Trustees, it must now be submitted to the Ministry of Education by June 30, 2025, for final approval.
Quick Facts
- The TDSB's operating budget is approximately $3.7 billion.
- The TDSB continues to face a $43.7 million shortfall due to the unfunded portion of statutory benefits (e.g., for CPP and EI).
- This year's projected shortfall to support special education is $38.5 million.
"I am pleased that we have increased funding to valuable programs such as special education and music instruction, while maintaining TDSB pools for another year. Sadly, Ministry underfunding will mean we will be put in this difficult position again next year. It is my sincere hope that we can work with the Ministry to address the growing funding gaps so that we can maintain critical programming in a fiscally responsible way."
- Neethan Shan, Chair, TDSB
