OCDSB plans to eliminate 150 full-time jobs

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) plans to cut 150 full-time jobs by the next school year. This decision comes as the board faces a $20 million budget shortfall and a drop in kindergarten enrollment. The board expects to save $15.9 million by eliminating 79.5 non-academic positions along with 70 teaching roles. Staffing costs represent a significant portion of the board's $1.2 billion operating budget, which must be approved by the end of June. The necessary number of teachers is closely linked to student enrollment. Records show that there will be about 788 fewer elementary students next year. Factors contributing to this decline include decreasing birth rates and fewer kindergarten-age children and international students. However, high school enrollment may see a slight increase. Of the job cuts, 79 will be non-academic positions, impacting roles like educational assistants, early childhood educators, and administrative staff. Some worry that reducing educational assistants will hurt children with complex needs, as these staff members provide essential support in the classroom. Nearly 60 families have expressed concerns, noting that many children struggle to attend school fully due to the lack of support. The OCDSB has faced ongoing deficits and challenges like high employee sick days and inflation costs. The board plans to invest about $659 million in teaching positions next school year and $315 million in non-academic roles. Many teaching job losses may result from larger class sizes and a shift to e-learning. The school board will finalize enrollment numbers by March 31 and is waiting for updates on funding from the provincial government. Staff are hopeful that this funding will help ease some of the financial pressures they are facing.