On May 9, Toronto District School Board Chair Rachel Chernos Lin shared the TDSB's significant concerns about Bill 98 - the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act.
During a deputation before the province's Standing Committee on Social Policy, Chair Chernos Lin outlined the concerns about the legislation which, if passed, would impact a number of different areas including:
- The legislation appears to remove the very important role of elected boards of Trustees in determining which school board sites should be declared surplus based on the unique needs of each community.
- The Minister is being provided with broad powers to regulate the business affairs of school boards, and specific powers relating to "board controlled entities." If the Ministry intends to implement changes that impact the Toronto Lands Corporation (TLC) a wholly owned subsidiary that oversees the board's real estate, leasing and land use planning these changes need to be clearly communicated well in advance.
- The legislation appears to suggest the ability of the Ministry of Education to override local priorities in school board Multi-Year Plans. School boards play a vital role in making sure local priorities are reflected in public education. It is critical that the Province continue to provide significant space for this local input.
In addition to the concerns shared with the standing Committee, the TDSB also significant concerns with regard to:
- The Minister's new ability to assign "Support Personnel" to Boards. As Bill 98 currently stands, the Minister would have unlimited discretion in determining when a Board's progress in implementing its Multi-Year Plan is unsatisfactory. These Support Personnel would have an undefined scope of duties once they are embedded with Boards, and the Bill gives no guidance about how these people will be considered, qualified or selected for their roles.
- Changes to the role of Integrity Commissioner. The TDSB's own Code of Conduct already provides for the resolution of complaints about perceived Trustee misconduct through an Integrity Commissioner. The role of the Integrity Commissioner should oversee code of conduct issues among all Trustees. Staff - particularly Directors of Education - should not be involved in that decision making process.
- While the TDSB appreciates the need to better standardize design standards for new schools, and the costs that will be saved as a result, flexibility is needed for schools in dense urban areas like Toronto which require unique floor plans and are situated in highly constrained environments.
Quick Facts
- On April 17, the provincial government tabled The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023.
- In addition to the TDSB's Long-Term Program and Accommodation Strategy which outlines the Board's schedule for reviewing non-operating school sites, the TDSB is already reviewing secondary school programs and its administrative sites.
- The TDSB is currently surveying parents as it renews its current Multi-Year Strategic Plan and is seeking input through an electronic survey and in-person meetings in communities.
"We are deeply concerned that Bill 98 appears to remove the very important role of elected boards of Trustees in a number of critical areas. Whether it is deciding which schools are needed in our neighbourhoods or setting the priorities of the school board for years to come, the voice of unique communities that Trustees bring to these decisions should not and cannot by overridden by the provincial government."
- Rachel Chernos Lin, Chair, TDSB
