The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents thousands of public sector employees, says frontline workers are "very concerned" about the safety of children as the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) plans to lay off hundreds of lunchroom supervisors for the 2022-23 school year.

The head of Toronto Education Workers (CUPE Local 4400), representing nearly 17,000 education workers, said the decision to approve these job cuts will lead to serious safety issues across schools.

President John Weatherup said: "At a time when the TDSB should be hiring more lunchroom supervisors, the chairs who are preparing for re-election this fall are talking about deep cuts."

"There are serious safety issues in our schools, so these decisions will be a step in the wrong direction. The risks this board and local government are willing to take regarding children’s lives are appalling."

According to CUPE, the TDSB plans to lay off 300 workers, most of whom are women. It adds that lunchroom supervisors typically work about an hour a day.

Weatherup says that with the rise in violence crimes in TDSB schools, including the recent arrest of a 17-year-old student who allegedly shot a student in a targeted act, having lunchroom supervisors is more necessary than ever.

Weatherup continued: "Lunchroom supervision is now the first line of defense against violence. Cutting lunchroom supervisors will not help address avoidable assaults on students, teachers, and other school staff."

Last week, TDSB Chair Alexander Brown called on provincial parties to allocate more resources to better support Toronto schools through "adequate and stable funding."

Brown said TDSB expects a deficit of $52.2 million for the 2022-23 school year, mainly due to COVID-19 pandemic costs. The chair said that if additional funding is not allocated, further job cuts are expected.

"Toronto families need to know that the party they vote for in the upcoming election will recognize the financial challenges faced by the TDSB to keep students and staff safe during the pandemic."

"We need a commitment to provide adequate and stable funding so students can continue to receive the learning, well-being, and mental health supports they need next year and in the coming years."

TDSB officials say Brown sent several letters to Ontario’s Education Minister, Stephen Lecce, summarizing various concerns and requesting additional funding to support its students.

Edited by: Dima Abu Khair