Staff Allocation

What Is Staff Allocation?

Staff allocation is the process to determine how staff are placed in schools for the upcoming year. This planning helps ensure that every school has the staff required to support students in safe and welcoming learning environments.

This work is guided by several factors, including student enrolment, Ministry of Education requirements, and collective agreement provisions. At the heart of this process is our commitment to student achievement and well-being.

Why Does Staff Allocation Happen?

Each spring, school boards across Ontario estimate how many students will attend school in September.

These enrolment projections are based on factors such as:

Local community and demographic trends
Expected housing growth
Patterns of student movement and retention
Immigration and newcomer settlement

These projections help determine how many staff each school receives so that:

Class sizes meet Ministry regulations
Teaching and support staff are distributed across schools
Staffing reflects actual student numbers
Public funding is used responsibly

How Does Staff Allocation Work?

Staffing decisions must follow Ministry class size regulations and collective agreement provisions. Most staffing is funded through the provincial model, core education funding, which is closely tied to enrolment.

Staff allocation is the first step in the annual TDSB budget process. To have staff in place for September and to meet collective agreement timelines, these decisions are made in the spring. Staff allocation applies to both elementary and secondary schools:

Elementary staffing is shaped mainly by enrolment and class size requirements.
Secondary staffing also considers course selections, program pathways, and timetable needs.

In every case, the goal is to match staffing to student needs so that learning environments remain supportive and stable.

What Can Families Expect?

Staff allocation directly supports student learning in September. Families can expect that:

Schools receive staff based on enrolment and Ministry requirements
Class sizes and classroom organization meet provincial standards
Resources are allocated fairly across the system

If staffing adjustments affect classroom organization, your school will communicate directly with you. Staff will support students through any transitions to help them feel safe, welcome, and included.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does staffing depend on enrolment?

Most provincial funding for teachers and support staff is tied to the number of students. When enrolment significantly increases, more staff are needed. When enrolment is lower, fewer staff are required.

When are staffing decisions made?

Staffing decisions are made in the spring so that staff placements are completed well before the school year begins. Elementary reorganization happens in September once schools confirm student numbers. This may lead to classroom changes.

Why can enrolment projections change?

Enrolment projections are based on the best available information each Spring, but the number of students who attend a school in September can change for several reasons.

Families may move within or outside the city, newcomers may arrive throughout the year, and some students register closer to September. These natural shifts can result in enrolment being higher or lower than expected.

If enrolment is lower than projected, fewer staff may be required across the system. If enrolment is higher, more staff may be required.

What happens if classroom changes are required in September?

If changes are needed during elementary reorganization, the school will notify families directly. School staff will support students through any transition.

Who sets the rules for class sizes and staffing?

Class size regulations are determined by the Ministry of Education. Staffing decisions must also follow collective agreement provisions.

How is staff allocation different from elementary reorganization?

Staff allocation happens in the spring to plan each school’s staffing organization for the upcoming school year.

Elementary reorganization happens in September once schools confirm student numbers on Count Day. The results of the count determine the official enrollment numbers for the school and if they are materially different from the projected enrollment, this may lead to resource allocation and/or classroom changes.

Does staff allocation affect whether a school has combined grade classes?

Yes. The number of staff and the number of students help determine how classes are organized. Combined grade classes are a common way to create balanced classrooms.