The local Catholic School Board budget for the upcoming school year has raised concerns for the local union.
The draft budget for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board (PVNCCDSB), was released last month and will be up for adoption later in July.
CUPE 1453 has expressed concern over escalating staffing issues that they say threaten the quality of education and the safety of school environments across the region.
According to a release the union sent out, they are gravely concerned about the Board’s recent announcement that, beginning next school year, there will be 23 fewer educational assistants (EAs) in the system.
However, PVNCCDSB Manager of Strategic Communications Galen Eagle said that this is not the case.
He explained, “In June 2024, the Board approved a budget that included 289 Special Education Workers. In June 2025, Trustees were presented with a draft budget that includes 300 Special Education Workers — an increase of 11 positions year-over-year at the time of budget approval… This also shows that despite CUPE’s claims, the Board is not reducing the number of EAs in the 2025-2026 budget.”
Nora Shaughnessy, president of CUPE 1453, said that the numbers referred to by Eagle and the budget specify Special Education workers, not specifically Educational Assistants.
She told the Herald that based on numbers provided to the union by PVNC via a staffing document, they had a total of 280 full time and part time Educational Assistants which she said speaks to the needs of students in the PVBC School system. However, in 2025-2026 they will be starting the year with 257 permanent Educational Assistants.
The unions release stated that the shortage of EAs has led to escalating physical and mental health issues among staff, many of whom are working through breaks and lunches just to meet the needs of students. According to a CUPE survey of Local 1453 education workers, over 96 per cent of EAs say they face violent or disruptive incidents at work, and half say it happens every day.
That being said, according the PVNC press release, they have stated that they recognize that the number of staff in place at the start of the school year is often lower than the number working by year’s end. This is a normal and well-established part of our staffing process. Each fall, as enrolment is confirmed and individual student needs are reviewed, additional positions are allocated to ensure appropriate levels of support across our system.
“Educational Assistants and support staff are essential to creating safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students,” said Stephen O’Sullivan, Director of Education. “We are grateful for their ongoing dedication, and we remain committed to investing in the support our students need to thrive.”
Eagle also said that while the school board receives funding form the province through the Special Education Grant, it is up to each board to determine how best to allocate those resources. He said that PVNC is allocating $1.3 million more in 2025-2026 toward Special Education than they are receiving from the Ministry.
According to the PVNC Press release, this year’s draft budget will include:
• An increase of 3.2 full-time equivalent (FTE) Special Education Teachers, and
• Maintained staffing levels in Social Work, Speech-Language Pathology, and Psychological Services.
Staffing decisions are informed by a careful analysis of student needs, enrolment trends, and available funding.
To this point ¬¬ Shaughnessy said, “The Director speaks of an increase of 3.2 full-time equivalent Special Education Teachers - These folks are not in CUPE Local 1453 union. I do not represent the teachers. PVNC says they project to support 1,972 students for the upcoming 2025/2026 school year, which is an increase from 1,921 this 2024/2025 current school year; it’s an increase of 51 identified students, yet PVNC will not start with proper staffing levels to support the students.”
The draft 2025–2026 budget was presented to the Board of Trustees on June 24, 2025. Trustees are expected to vote on the final budget at a Special Board Meeting on July 15, 2025.
