'It's heartbreaking' for students and teachers, says union rep; Fewer teachers mean fewer courses, fewer extra-curricular options, notes trustee

Seventy teachers in Simcoe County learned today they are out of work.

Doug Ford’s decision to increase secondary school class sizes from 22 to 28 students forced the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) to declare 51 full-time-equivalent teachers as redundant.

But Jen Hare, the teachers’ bargaining union president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) for Simcoe County, said the cuts will impact 70 teachers.

“First off, the 51 ’full-time equivalent teachers’ (actually) equates to 70 people,” said Hare, noting some of the teachers are on part-time contracts.

“So, that means 70 individuals in Simcoe County found out today they don’t have a job next year,” she told OrilliaMatters.

“It’s heartbreaking ... it’s so detrimental for our staff.

“But we’re also really heartbroken for our kids. With 70 teachers gone, you’re looking at about 300 courses that aren’t going to be running next year and that’s 300 fewer opportunities for our students,” Hare said.

She said, on average, there are six courses attached to every teacher.

“In our high schools here, they are going to make a priority of compulsory courses such as math, English, science, some history at the lower levels,” said Hare. “So when (students) start to look for those courses that are technically elective but they need to get to university … those electives will be lost.”

There is a domino effect, lamented Jodi Lloyd, the trustee for the Orillia area who also serves as chair of the SCDSB.

“I think everyone is very concerned that this will negatively affect students,” said Lloyd.

"When there are fewer teachers in schools, that means fewer courses offered. It also reduces the … ability to offer extra-curricular programs, clubs and all those other things that are integral to the life of a student.”

That is a big concern, agreed Hare, a former teacher who also coached volleyball.

“I know lots of kids who stay in high school to play sports; it keeps them engaged,” Hare said. “If that’s taken away, I’m worried about how many students might choose to quit.”

Lloyd said the board has written a letter to Ford, the minister of education and local MPP Jill Dunlop, pleading with them to re-think the reduction in class size.

“We’re very hopeful that the consultation the ministry is doing in relation to class size and the letters that are being written … I hope they will go back and have a second look and look at the impact,” said Lloyd. “I’m hopeful they will reconsider this.”

Hare warned this is only the beginning; this is the first year of a four-year phased plan to reduce class sizes.

Over those four years, the SCDSB could be forced to cut one-quarter of its secondary-school teachers, which would equate to 250 positions, said Hare.

The union representative said it’s important to look past the numbers.

“Among those lost today are 15 teachers who teach technical programs, 13 who teach life skills and autism-specialized programs, eight who teach alternative programs (specialized for kids at risk) and seven math specialists,” Hare explained.

She noted most of the 70 lost positions are young teachers who have had a “contract” for less than a year. They would have had to first become an occasional teacher, work as a supply teacher and apply for contract positions when they became available.

“The average occasional teacher teaches 11 years before receiving a contract,” noted Hare. “So these people had finally been able to take a deep breath and have some stability. And now they are, potentially, out of a job for at least four years.”

Lloyd said it’s “disappointing” especially after the board had recently begun to hire new teachers thanks to a growth in student enrolment.

“There is great uncertainty,” said Lloyd.

She noted, for example, that no details have been shared about the province’s plan to force students to take four online courses during their high school career.

“There’s been lots of announcements but very little details.”

Lloyd said she is concerned about long-term impacts.

“The other big concern, when you trash the teaching profession and you trash a really good education system, you deter bright young minds from entering the profession,” said Lloyd. “That’s a big concern.”

She said the job cuts make her "feel sick."

Earlier this month, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School board declared 37.5 positions redundant, while another 54 positions were declared surplus.

The province has still not provided details of its student funding to the boards for the coming school year - something that has typically been provided by the end of March.