Dear Editor:
RE: Staff absences significantly impact UGDSB budget: Sovran, Jan. 2.
This article highlights the issue of staff absences and their impact on the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) budget. It sheds light on a critical issue affecting public education in Ontario under the Ford government: the chronic underfunding of schools.
Despite government claims of record-high investments, funding has decreased by $1,500 per student when adjusted for inflation, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
When public education is inadequately funded, the following outcomes, including staff absences, are inevitable.
1. Overburdened staff: teachers, occasional teachers, educational assistants, office clerical technical/transportation, professional student services personnel and early childhood educators, are left managing heavy workloads due to understaffing. Class size increases under the Ford government are a major contributing factor to this increased workload. This leads to burnout, mental health challenges and increased absenteeism.
2. Lack of student support: schools frequently lack resources like mental health counselors, leaving educators struggling to meet diverse needs. This adds to stress levels, particularly for those working with students requiring significant developmental or behavioral support.
3. Unpaid work: educators often fill gaps by working extra hours without compensation, creating an unsustainable workload that contributes to wellness issues and absences.
4. Financial constraints: budget cuts force boards to reduce staff and programs, destabilizing learning environments and increasing pressure on remaining workers. This cycle ultimately harms both student achievement and staff well-being.
Temporary employees are vital for maintaining continuity during absences; however, relying on them does not address the root causes of these challenges, which demand immediate investment in:
– increased staffing and smaller class sizes, which ensure the diverse needs of students and employees are met effectively;
– wellness initiatives: programs supporting mental health and professional development are essential to improving staff resilience and reducing absenteeism;
– transparent funding models: mechanisms that reflect the true costs of education are needed, including fair wages and adequate resources; and
– addressing school violence: with 75% of Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) members reporting more incidents of violence in schools, urgent action is necessary to ensure safety for all.
Chronic underfunding creates a costly and counterproductive cycle that jeopardizes the quality of education and the well-being of students and staff alike. By prioritizing public education funding, the Ford government can foster healthier work environments, improve outcomes, and strengthen Ontario’s future.
It’s time for the Ford government to recognize that education funding is an investment, not an expense.Ìý
Our members stand ready to collaborate and advocate for a system that values students, teachers, and support staff as the foundation of a strong and prosperous province.
OSSTF District 18 (Upper Grand) representatives Cheryl Lampkin, Paul Rawlinson, Janice Minor, Christine Kerr and Tracey Mackie-Vlietstra