TDSB finance official says provincial supervisor has not cut the board’s budget
TDSB finance executive Craig Snider says the provincial supervisor has kept the 2025-26 budget intact, but introduced a hiring review when staff leave. The province says the supervisor is reviewing finances.
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By Torontoer Staff
The provincial supervisor appointed to the Toronto District School Board has not reduced the board’s 2025-26 budget, the TDSB’s executive officer of finance told a committee this month. Craig Snider said the supervisor has put a hiring review in place when staff retire or resign, but has not cut funding or altered the revenue plan.
Snider made the comments at a meeting of the board’s special education advisory committee as the province continues its review of several Ontario school boards it placed under supervision last year.
What the board says the supervisor has changed
At the committee meeting, Snider told chair David Lepofsky that the budget and projected revenue for 2025-26 remain unchanged. He said staffing complements are being reviewed, and that vacancies caused by retirement or resignation will go through a review process before being filled.
Both the budget and the revenue have stayed the same. There have been no reductions to budget. There have been reviews of staffing complements needed, and when people retire or resign, there’s a hiring review process. But the budget itself, for the 2025-26 year, remains the same.
Craig Snider, TDSB executive officer of finance
Why the province placed supervisors
Education Minister Paul Calandra appointed supervisors to five Ontario school boards last year, including the TDSB, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. The government cited growing deficits and depleting reserves following individual investigations of those boards.
Ontario continues to provide record funding for education.
Provincial news release
The provincial announcement also said the TDSB had rejected 46 per cent of cost-saving measures proposed over two years and had relied on asset sales to balance its books. The Ministry of Education told Global News the supervisor was sent to the board to conduct a careful review of finances rather than to make hasty decisions.
Surplus, but lingering concerns about structure
The government has noted the TDSB reported a surprise surplus for 2025-26. It also said that surplus was driven by a one-off revenue increase and that structural deficits could remain. The ministry has not specified if the supervisor will recommend cuts as the provincial budget process continues, with more details expected from mid-April to May.
Reaction from provincial politics and the board
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said the lack of austerity measures from the supervisor reflected the board’s existing constraints. She told reporters the board had already been pared back and criticised the government’s framing of trustee spending.
There is nowhere left to cut. Doug Ford and Paul Calandra want to pretend it’s overspending by school board trustees. Well, that’s just baloney.
Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP leader
Snider said TDSB staff have briefed the supervisor on budget pressures, with particular attention to special education needs. He told the advisory committee the board will continue to outline resource gaps and expenditure challenges to the supervisor as part of the review.
Timeline and next steps
- June last year: Province appoints supervisors to five boards, including the TDSB.
- Months since: Supervisor conducts reviews, implements hiring review for vacancies.
- 2025-26: TDSB posts a one-off surplus, according to provincial statements.
- Mid-April to May: Provincial budget process may clarify next steps and any recommended measures.
Board officials say they will keep raising funding needs with the supervisor and highlight pressures in special education and other areas. For now, the 2025-26 budget stands as adopted, and the supervisor’s role appears limited to oversight and staffing reviews rather than immediate spending cuts.
The Ministry of Education has not yet outlined whether the supervisor will recommend specific cuts to address longer-term fiscal concerns. The board and the province are expected to continue discussions as the provincial budget process unfolds.
TDSBeducationbudgetprovincial governmentspecial education
