TDSB Meeting Reveals Agenda to Close Specialized Schools

Written By Bruce Yu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON – This Wednesday, a motion is coming before the TDSB calling for data collection on its new lottery admission process for specialized schools. This motion is accompanied by a minority report requesting the review of the lottery policy in its entirety, starting in September.

SOSTDSB is calling on all TDSB trustees to support the request for a minority report in light of evidence that the goal of the lottery policy is not to improve access, but to pave the way for the closure of specialized programs and schools in the TDSB within five years.

This intent is contained in the minutes of a December 8 2021 meeting in which TDSB staff discuss a five-year plan to eliminate choice for parents and students including optional attendance and specialized schools. These minutes were obtained by a Freedom of Information Request and can be accessed in totality here.

The following excerpts from these minutes reveal the views of TDSB staff on SSP (Student Specialized Programs):

  • Ellen Walsh: If we change policy and no Optional Attendance for anything. This would revolutionize things. If had a 5 year plan and lots of resources to get there it might work. Until we take away the choice, we are stuck.

  • Lorraine Linton – The 5 yr. plan is necessary because of the implications. The need to be strategic in our plans because everything we do impacts other decisions. If we remove SSP and have a plan for this and TDSB looked at the implications, are we saying that local schools will be viable as local schools?

  • Stephanie Todorovich – Some SSP were placed in schools to solve right sizing schools. Concerned that we are tweaking policy to make it equitable, see it may cause harm. Don’t want to just band aid the procedure. We are the system, we set this up for decades but not an excuse to keep going. Bigger picture is right sizing schools, composite schools, and getting rid of SSP.

  • Reiko: Know this is just one piece of an on-going process (blue wheel), looking at right sizing schools, closing schools. • All of these pieces are part of a larger plan (5 year plan), how do all these pieces fit 2gether and the ramifications

Since this meeting, Reiko Fuentes is now the centrally assigned principal to administer the TDSB lottery. 

“I am dismayed but not surprised by these revelations,” said Michael Teper, spokesperson for SOS TDSB.  “Back in 2017, the TDSB attempted to cancel the Specialized Schools altogether, which failed after an enormous outcry from parents and students all over the city.  Now, there is clear evidence that the destruction of these programs has been on the agenda for years. These facts make obvious the need for a complete review of the lottery admission process.”

Added SOS TDSB member Amanda Platt, “As a parent, I am shocked and saddened.  Our children need choices. Their educational needs are not all the same. Instead of destroying specialty schools, we should have more of them, to ensure all kids get the education they need to reach their full potential.”

For interviews or further information, please contact:

Bruce Yu
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