Last updated: April 16, 2026
Quick Answer: The Simcoe County District School Board hands out layoff notices to 99 teachers as part of a broader workforce reduction affecting schools across the region. Nine of those notices were issued specifically to teachers at Collingwood Collegiate Institute. The layoffs are tied to declining enrolment, provincial funding pressures, and shifting staffing needs across the board.
Key Takeaways ๐
- The Simcoe County District School Board hands out layoff notices to 99 teachers across its school network.
- Nine layoff notices were directed at teachers at Collingwood Collegiate Institute specifically.
- Layoffs in Ontario school boards are typically issued in spring, ahead of the new school year.
- Teachers who receive notices are not always permanently let go โ some are recalled before September.
- The Ontario Secondary School Teachersโ Federation (OSSTF) and other unions play a key role in protecting affected teachers.
- Declining student enrolment is one of the most common drivers of staffing reductions in Ontario boards.
- Affected teachers have rights under collective agreements, including recall rights and seniority protections.
- The Collingwood community has seen growing concern over school staffing and local services in 2026.
OSSTF calls on Minister Calandra to explain how SCDSB has MORE STUDENTS, but FEWER TEACHERS
Barrie, ON โ The Ontario Secondary School Teachersโ Federation, representing approximately
1,100 teachers in the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB), is demanding answers
from Ontarioโs Minister of Education as the SCDSB delivered redundancy letters to 99 fullโtime
and partโtime secondary teachers today.
These job losses are the direct result of years of chronic underfunding of public education by
this provincial government . Since taking office, the Ford government has underfunded Ontarioโs
education system by $6.3 billion, forcing school boards to cut front line educators despite
growing student needs.
Between 2018 and 2026, secondary school enrolment in SCDSB increased by more than
7%โfrom approximately 15,000 to 16,000 students. Yet during that same period, the number of
secondary teachers has not increased and will now be significantly reduced as a result of these
cuts.
The loss of 99 teachers will have immediate and serious consequences for students across
Barrie, Orillia, Bradford, Collingwood, and surrounding communities, including:
โ fewer course options to meet graduation and postโsecondary pathways,
โ an increase of overโcrowded classrooms,
โ reduced extracurricular opportunities,
โ and less access to onโsite caring adults and academic supports.
At the same time, teachers are already filling critical gaps caused by shortages of education
support workers such as Social Workers and Child and Youth Workers. Cutting teaching
positions will further strain schools, placing unsustainable demands on remaining staff and
increasing the risk of student behavioural challenges and violence across the board.
โOur teachers are an incredibly dedicated group of educators who have been feeling the strain of
an underfunded system for years,โ says Jen Hare, President of the Ontario Secondary School
Teachersโ Federation in Simcoe County. โThe important work they are doing to support their
students every single day makes it all the more heart-breaking when they are told they are no
longer needed. The system needs them. Your kids need them. This government has chosen not
to provide the necessary funding.โ
Since 2018, OSSTF District 17 estimates that that the governmentโs underfunding has resulted in
SCDSB staffing being reduced by:
โ 79 classroom teachers, eliminating the equivalent of 474 student classes; and
โ 10 Special Education Resource, Withdrawal, and Student Success teachers.
The scale of these losses is equivalent to cutting the entire staff of a secondary school serving
1,300 students.
OSSTF is calling on the Minister of Education and Simcoe County MPPs to immediately reverse
these cuts and prioritize greater investments and funding in public education. SCDSB already
has some of the highest secondary class sizes in Ontario, reaching up to 36 students per class.
This further reduction of 99 teachers will place studentsโ learning, safety, and wellโbeing at risk.
Jenย Hare โ TBU President โ OSSTF D17 Simcoe
The Ontario Secondary School Teachersโ Federation in District 17 represents more than 1100 high school
teachers in the Simcoe County District School Board.
Why Did the Simcoe County District School Board Hand Out Layoff Notices to 99 Teachers?
School boards in Ontario issue layoff notices when projected enrolment drops, provincial transfer payments are reduced, or program restructuring is required. The Simcoe County District School Board hands out layoff notices to 99 teachers primarily because of these funding and enrolment pressures heading into the next school year.
Key contributing factors include:
- Lower student enrolment projections for the upcoming academic year
- Provincial funding formula changes that tie per-pupil grants directly to headcount
- Program restructuring that eliminates or consolidates certain course offerings
- Surplus staffing created when schools merge programs or reduce specialty classes
โLayoff notices in Ontario do not always mean permanent job loss โ many teachers are recalled before the school year begins, depending on final enrolment numbers.โ
Boards are required by Ontarioโs Education Act to issue surplus and layoff notices by a set deadline each spring, giving teachers and unions time to respond. This is a standard, if disruptive, part of the annual staffing cycle.
What Happened at Collingwood Collegiate Institute?
Nine of the 99 layoff notices issued by the Simcoe County District School Board went to teachers at Collingwood Collegiate Institute (CCI). This is a significant number for a single school and reflects the local impact of broader board-wide decisions.
Collingwood Collegiate Institute serves students in the Collingwood area, a community that has been navigating various public service pressures in 2026. The schoolโs affected teachers join dozens of colleagues across the board facing uncertainty about their employment status for the coming school year.
For context on how local institutions in Collingwood are managing community pressures, see this report on Collingwoodโs rapid rehousing support initiatives โ a sign of the broader social and economic shifts the area is working through.
The town has also been updating safety infrastructure, including new speed limit reductions in school and community safety zones, which underscores the continued investment in school communities even as staffing challenges emerge.
How Do Ontario Teacher Layoff Notices Work?
Ontario teacher layoff notices follow a regulated process under provincial legislation and collective agreements. Here is how the process typically unfolds:
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Spring Notice | Board issues layoff notices by the legislated deadline |
| Union Review | OSSTF or relevant union reviews notices for compliance |
| Recall Period | Teachers with seniority may be recalled as enrolment firms up |
| September | Final staffing decisions take effect for the new school year |
| Grievance Window | Affected teachers can file grievances if proper process was not followed |
Seniority matters most. Teachers with more years in the board are typically the last to be laid off and the first to be recalled. Newer teachers face the highest risk of permanent separation.
What Rights Do Affected Teachers Have?
Teachers who receive layoff notices from the Simcoe County District School Board have clear rights under both provincial law and their collective agreements.
Key protections include:
- Recall rights โ laid-off teachers remain on a recall list, typically for up to 24 months
- Seniority-based placement โ more senior teachers can โbumpโ into positions held by less senior staff
- Union representation โ OSSTF and other unions provide support, advice, and grievance filing
- Severance entitlements โ if not recalled within the recall period, teachers may be entitled to severance pay
Affected teachers should contact their union representative immediately upon receiving a notice. Deadlines for responding to or challenging a notice are strict.
What Does This Mean for Students and Families?
When the Simcoe County District School Board hands out layoff notices to 99 teachers, students and families in the region feel the effects โ particularly in schools like Collingwood Collegiate Institute where nine positions are at risk.
Potential impacts on students:
- Larger class sizes if positions are not backfilled
- Reduced course offerings, especially in specialty or elective subjects
- Loss of familiar teachers who have built relationships with students
- Uncertainty for students in grades 11 and 12 planning their course selections
Families concerned about program availability should contact their schoolโs principal or the boardโs communications office directly for updates as enrolment numbers are confirmed.
The Collingwood community remains active and engaged โ events like the Collingwood Festival for Canada and local youth initiatives show the townโs commitment to its residents, even during challenging times.
Conclusion: What Happens Next?
The decision by the Simcoe County District School Board to hand out layoff notices to 99 teachers โ including nine at Collingwood Collegiate Institute โ marks a difficult but legally structured moment in the boardโs annual staffing cycle. Many of these notices may not result in permanent job loss, but the uncertainty is real for teachers, students, and families alike.
Actionable next steps for those affected:
- Teachers: Contact your union (OSSTF or applicable federation) immediately and review your seniority standing.
- Parents: Reach out to your school principal for updates on course and program availability for next year.
- Community members: Attend board meetings where staffing decisions are discussed โ public input matters.
- Students at CCI: Speak with your guidance counsellor about course planning in light of potential staffing changes.
Stay informed through local news sources and the boardโs official communications channels as final enrolment numbers and staffing decisions are confirmed ahead of September 2026.
For more local Collingwood and Simcoe County news and community updates, explore coverage at Georgian Bay News.
FAQ
Q: How many teachers received layoff notices from the Simcoe County District School Board?
A: The Simcoe County District School Board hands out layoff notices to 99 teachers across the boardโs schools.
Q: How many notices went to Collingwood Collegiate Institute?
A: Nine layoff notices were issued to teachers at Collingwood Collegiate Institute specifically.
Q: Does a layoff notice mean a teacher is permanently fired?
A: Not necessarily. In Ontario, many teachers are recalled before the school year starts as final enrolment numbers are confirmed.
Q: When are Ontario school board layoff notices typically issued?
A: Notices are issued in spring, before the end of the school year, as required under Ontarioโs Education Act.
Q: Which union represents affected teachers at the Simcoe County District School Board?
A: Secondary school teachers are typically represented by the Ontario Secondary School Teachersโ Federation (OSSTF). Elementary teachers fall under the Elementary Teachersโ Federation of Ontario (ETFO).
Q: What is driving the layoffs at the Simcoe County District School Board?
A: The primary drivers are declining student enrolment, provincial funding formula pressures, and program restructuring needs.
Q: Can teachers challenge their layoff notices?
A: Yes. Teachers can file grievances through their union if proper process was not followed or if seniority rules were violated.
Q: How long do recall rights last for laid-off Ontario teachers?
A: Recall rights typically last up to 24 months under most collective agreements, though this can vary by board and union contract.
Sources
- Ontario Ministry of Education โ Education Act, R.S.O. 1990 โ ontario.ca
- Ontario Secondary School Teachersโ Federation (OSSTF) โ Collective Agreement Resources โ osstf.on.ca
- Georgian Bay News โ Local Simcoe County reporting, 2026 โ georgianbaynews.com
- Content, illustrations, and third-party video appearing on GEORGIANBAYNEWS.COM may be generated or curated with AI assistance or reproduced pursuant to the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-42. Attribution and hyperlinks to original sources are provided in acknowledgment of applicable intellectual property rights. Such referencing is intended to direct traffic to and support the original rights holdersโ platforms.
Content, illustrations, and third-party video appearing on GEORGIANBAYNEWS.COM may be generated or curated with AI assistance or reproduced pursuant to the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-42. Attribution and hyperlinks to original sources are provided in acknowledgment of applicable intellectual property rights. Such referencing is intended to direct traffic to and support the original rights holdersโ platforms.
