Toronto School Board Cuts Spark Outrage

0:00The Toronto Catholic District School Board just announced cuts to tackle a $39 million deficit putting the board under provincial watch. Starting in September, they're scrapping daytime international language classes at 44 elementary schools, axing the 5th block reading, support program for first and second graders at another 44 spots, and shifting bell times at 39 schools to cut busing costs. These moves hit hard with 77 language instructors losing jobs and the equivalent of 25 full-time teachers from 5th block. Getting replaced by just 10 early reading facilitators who float between schools. Parents like Liliana Cruz, whose kid faces all three changes, call it a triple whammy hurting students, families, and staff. The teacher's union is pushing back hard, filing grievances over no consultation, and warning that kids needing extra reading help will slip behind. While new bell times miss with work schedules and childcare, the board defends it

1:00as modernizing literacy to match a key provincial right to read report with language classes possibly shifting to. Weekends, though some Eastern right schools get exemptions for Ukrainian religion classes, sparking fairness complaints. Meanwhile, petitions are circulating and families rally to save these programs, but with finances tight and ministry support limited, the boards. Pushing ahead, leaving parents hoping for real student wins over pure savings. That's your update from Calvary News today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with The Story.