Sudbury school board, union at odds over enrolment projections

Catholic board says it expects fewer students in row over staffing cuts

Article content Sudbury Catholic District School Board says it expects enrolment to decline rather than increase, as union leaders suggest. The board made the comment in a statement responding to criticism issued on Monday by CUPE 5569 and the Ontario School Board Council of Unions. The unions are unhappy that the board is cutting two speech pathologists and two library technician positions while also reducing two designated early childhood educators from permanent full-time positions to casual positions.

Recommended Videos The board, however, said it made its decision only “after a careful review.” “The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is committed to ensuring our students are provided with the essential supports they need to learn, grow, and succeed in their education,” the board said in its statement. “As part of the 2026-27 budget planning process, several staffing adjustments were made after a careful review of current student needs, program delivery requirements, overall staffing capacity, available funding, and a projected decrease in student enrolment at SCDSB.

“While these roles are valuable in supporting student learning and well-being, these decisions were made to ensure services and resources continue to prioritize and align with the evolving needs of our community while maintaining safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all our students. “The board is continuing to monitor enrolment trends and evolving student needs to make thoughtful, informed decisions that responsibly allocate resources while maintaining high-quality learning environments that support the success and well-being of all our students.” The Sudbury Catholic District School Board serves more than 6,000 students across Greater Sudbury and Killarney.

Operating 17 schools – including elementary and secondary facilities and an adult learning centre – the board delivers faith-based education in both English and French Immersion, grounded in Catholic values and academic excellence. CUPE 5569 represents more than 350 education workers at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, including early childhood educators, educational assistants, office staff, library technicians, social workers, and other frontline support staff. CUPE said the cuts will affect students.

“When positions are eliminated, the impact doesn’t disappear with a budget line,” the union said. “The work still needs to be done, and that responsibility is pushed onto fewer staff. “Over time, that means increased workloads, reduced services, and fewer opportunities for students to receive the support they deserve.”

The union said the board will receive increased provincial funding and that provincial enrolment projections indicate the board will welcome about 184 additional students, representing enrolment growth of 2.7 per cent. “The question seems less about whether funding exists and more about how available funding is being prioritized locally,” said Allair. “When funding is increasing and more students are entering our schools, it is difficult to understand why education workers are being cut.”

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