At Toronto Catholic, our strength comes from the people who bring our system to life every day: our educators, support staff, school leaders, and service teams. Your insight and everyday work with students help shape our direction and keep us focused on what matters most.

Last year, staff across the system helped shape the conversation around our budget by asking questions, highlighting challenges, and sharing what matters most to them which guided our planning.

With ongoing financial pressures across the board, this year’s budget planning reflects the need to make careful choices while focusing resources where they matter most for students and schools. To date, the Board is on track to reduce the in-year deficit by a further 20% from $48.5 million to $39 million.

As we plan the 2026-2027 budget, our commitment remains the same: to provide efficient, effective, and equitable programs and services that support every learner.

Your feedback is important. Hearing directly from staff helps us identify system priorities and shape long term planning by:

• understanding what matters most in classrooms and workplaces

• keeping planning focused on student needs and staff capacity

• strengthening transparency around the decision-making process

• identifying opportunities for meaningful improvements

Below you’ll find opportunities to share your perspective. As the people closest to students, your voice brings real value to this process.

Here is how you can participate:

1. Survey: Complete a short survey to share practical, on-the-ground insights about the investments and day-to-day improvements that would help you better support students.
   
   
2. Points with Purpose: Take part in a budget-allocation activity where you indicate where limited resources could have the greatest impact across the system.

Thank you for sharing your expertise, ideas, and perspectives. Your voice informs our decisions and reinforces our shared commitment to our students and their success.

In June 2025, the TCDSB was placed under supervision by the Ministry of Education. A Ministry-appointed Supervisor is working to support the Board to strengthen its long-term financial position. Staff across the system continue to play a key role in advancing the Board’s Multi-Year Financial Recovery Plan, working in close collaboration with the Supervisor.

In June 2025, the Board approved the 2025–2026 budget with:

• $17.4M in savings and efficiencies, reducing the in-year deficit by 26% compared to the previous year.

• an in-year deficit of $48.5M.

As we prepare the 2026–2027 budget, the Board continues to face significant financial pressures driven by structural cost drivers, including sick leave, statutory benefits, and school operations, as well as recovering from an enrolment decline experienced during the pandemic.

Even in a year with limited financial flexibility, your feedback is valuable. Community input helps us:

• understand what matters most to students, families, and staff
• keep planning focused on student needs
• increase transparency around decision-making
• highlight areas where improvements may be needed

Hearing directly from the community helps ensure decisions remain connected to school experiences and student success.

The Board is currently under supervision by the Ministry of Education, with the Supervisor assuming the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees for budget review and approval.

As the budget begins to take shape, we want to hear from you: our educators, administrators, and support staff who bring our mission to life every day for students. Your perspectives will help give us the insight we need to make informed decisions for the year ahead.

In addition to input from staff, the Board will also be engaging with parents/guardians, students and the wider school communities.