Parents and teachers are mobilizing in Toronto following a series of personnel changes at Bowmore Road Junior and Senior Public School, prompting claims of “chaos” and potential retaliation. A parent-led rally is planned for Wednesday to voice concerns over the recent actions taken by the school administration.
Staffing Upheaval at Bowmore Road School
Over the past three weeks, Bowmore Road Junior and Senior Public School has experienced significant staff turnover. The principal was reassigned, the vice-principal was let go, two teachers were terminated, and eight additional teachers have been suspended. The reasons behind these actions remain unclear.
According to Toronto District School Board trustee and Bowmore parent Michelle Aarts, “With the exception of the Grade 7 and 8 special education classes, the entire Grade 7 and 8 teaching team is gone right now.” She added, “People are hurt, and they’re angry.”
New Instructional Model and Rising Tensions
The current situation stems from the implementation of a new “core” instructional model in September, which shifted responsibility for most homeroom instruction to a single teacher. This change was met with objections from both parents and students. Some parents believe the disciplinary actions against teachers are linked to their response to this new model.
Following the change, some teachers reportedly reduced or stopped providing extracurricular activities as they adjusted to increased workloads. Concerns have also been raised regarding safety at the school, including instances of bullying, alleged racial slurs directed at a Black student, and vandalism.
Response from the School Board and Union
Jenn Engels, co-chair of the school’s parent council, described the situation as “chaos,” suggesting the teachers are being “scapegoated” to deflect attention from the Toronto District School Board’s handling of the rollout. Wednesday’s rally aims to amplify parental dissatisfaction.
The Elementary Teachers of Toronto union is also involved, with President Helen Victoros calling the actions “an unprecedented display of heavy-handedness” and stating they are “vigorously fighting the terminations through the grievance arbitration process.”
In a letter to parents, interim director of education Stacey Zucker stated that concerns have been investigated and are “being or are in the process of being addressed.” The board has initiated an audit of safety procedures and has appointed a new principal and superintendent. Additional support staff, including safety monitors and counselors, have also been added, and security cameras are planned for installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the staff changes at Bowmore Road School?
In the past three weeks, the principal was reassigned, the vice-principal was let go, two teachers were terminated and eight other teachers have been suspended. The reasons for these actions are not clear, but some parents believe they are related to the implementation of a new instructional model.
What is the new instructional model?
The administration mandated a change to “core” instruction in which one teacher is responsible for most homeroom instruction, despite objections from parents and students. Previously, two teachers shared responsibility for each Grade 7 and 8 class.
What is the school board doing to address the situation?
The board has appointed a new principal and superintendent, added additional support staff, initiated an audit of safety procedures, and plans to install security cameras. They also stated that concerns have been investigated and are being addressed.
How will the ongoing situation at Bowmore Road School impact the learning environment for students in the long term?
