TDSB rewards principals, VPs with pandemic pay raise for sacrifices made during COVID-19

By Lucas Casaletto

In an effort to recognize members of its staff, Toronto’s public school board says it will spend up to $2.4 million in bonuses for its principals and vice-principals for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The board recently informed employees of the pay raise, confirming the bonus will be given to principals and vice principals by Dec. 10, at the latest.


“In order to meet additional requirements for a safe reopening of schools in September, Principals and Vice Principals were required to attend work earlier in August compared to previous years,” Toronto District School Board spokesperson, Ryan Bird, said in an emailed statement to 680 NEWS.

“To recognize these additional days, Principals and Vice Principals will be receiving 3.75 days pay at their regular rate. This is equivalent to 5 days of the daily rate for a summer school principal. While exact numbers are not available, the additional pay is expected to cost approximately $2.2 to $2.4 million,” Bird added. 


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Ontario premier Doug Ford was asked about the pay increase on Monday.

“I had an opportunity to visit some schools and talk to their principals and vice principals. They’re the ones, along with teachers and parents, making our schools safe,” the premier said.

“If there is one thing that’s working throughout the whole system, it’s the schools. You have to give credit where credit is due.”

The pay raises come amidst a tumultuous time for the TDSB.

Last week, it was reported that thousands of students remain unaccounted for due to “no-shows” and that the board’s budget has taken a hit as a result.

The TDSB finance committee was told in mid-Oct. that it will be about $42-million short in provincial funding this school year.

Still, Bird says administrators deserve to be rewarded due to a number of factors.

“Some Principals and Vice Principals were also allowed to carryover a limited number of unused lieu days from the previous year as they were unable to take them due to significant labour unrest, followed immediately by the pandemic.”

The TDSB has said it would like to hire additional teachers as some schools deal with staff shortages.

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