On Monday, June 1, Fix Our Schools issued the following media release on June 1, 2020:

Province must expedite framework and commit adequate funding for school re-opening in September

Today, Fix Our Schools is asking the province to expedite delivery of the framework for re-opening Ontario’s schools, and commit to adequate funding, so that school boards can properly plan for students to safely, effectively return to schools in September.

Local school boards, with guidance from local public health officials, will ultimately be charged with re-opening Ontario’s schools for September. They need to start planning as soon as possible, and they need the certainty of adequate provincial funding – something that has been lacking for decades. However, the COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated that, with political will, previously unimaginable public resources can be found and allocated.

Fix Our Schools is specifically calling on the Province to:

• Move the deadline to deliver the framework for re-opening schools from the end of June to June 12.
• Commit to providing the necessary funding for school boards to be able to reasonably plan and implement a safe, effective re-opening of schools in September.
• Work with local school boards and public health officials to provide weekly updates to the public on the school re-opening planning/implementation process.

Now is the time for political will to be applied to our publicly funded schools and education system. Ontario’s 2-million students need to know that the adults in charge are committed to their education, their mental health, and their development. Our economy also demands a prioritization of public education and schools. The accountability and transparency of a designated weekly progress communication on the safe re-opening of schools in September would demonstrate this commitment – and help students, families, and our economy.

“Parents with students in Ontario’s public education system have come to realize and value all that school provides for our children – not only learning but also childcare, routine, social interaction, a sense of community and purpose, opportunities for growth, maturity and development. For parents and students, a plan to safely return to school in September is of paramount importance and must be a priority. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that with political will – almost anything is possible. We want to see the political will exerted to make a safe return to school possible for Ontario’s students this coming September.

– Krista Wylie, Fix Our Schools Co-founder

The fact is that we have been living with a chronically underfunded public education system. Some schools do without a full-time custodian, and our system’s capital repair backlog – from leaky roofs to no hot water or soap in bathrooms to lead pipes – has ballooned to $16.3-billion over the past two decades. Will the provincial government provide school boards with the resources to meet the challenges created by this pandemic? Frankly, failing to come through with the funding to make this all happen would be to compound the impact COVID-19’s shutdown has had on children throughout this province.

– Marit Stiles, NDP Education Critic

“We applaud the province on having met with many smaller working tables that are looking at individual issues. But coherence is key here. Ontario’s students and educators need to know that there is an overall, comprehensive plan, based on evidence, expertise and experience. One-off meetings and small working tables will not accomplish that.” 

– Annie Kidder, People for Education’s Executive Director.

“Our schools are a learning environment for 2-million students, and a workplace for almost 200,000 teachers and education workers. The re-opening of schools in a safe and effective way is essential for the development and mental health of our children, our economy, and our well-being as a province”

– Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education