City-School Boards Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 4 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
TS4.1amended
Building a Universal Student Food Program in Toronto
The Acting Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health and the Director, Operations and Business Services, Toronto Public Health will give a presentation on Building a Universal Student Food Program in Toronto. City Council, on its October 9 and 10, 2024 meeting, considered Item EX17.1 , and requested the City Manager, in coordination with the Medical Officer of Health, to report to the November 5, 2024 meeting of the Executive Committee on funding including intergovernmental contributions and operational considerations required to deliver student food programs by January 2025 in the schools that applied for the 2023/4 or 2024/5 school years, were deemed eligible, but were denied due to funding constraints, and make a presentation to the October 21, 2024, meeting of the City-School Boards Advisory Committee.
The City-School Boards Advisory Committee recommends that Executive Committee: 1. Request City Council to request the Federal Government reallocate unspent funding for the 2025 budget year through the National Student Food Program from jurisdictions where funding agreements have not been secured directly to jurisdictions with agreements in place including in Ontario for Toronto's School Food programs. 2. Request City Council to request the newly elected Government of Ontario to increase its per-student financial contribution levels for Student Nutrition Programs in Toronto such that the province matches or exceeds the City's contributions.
TS4.2received
Cricket Facilities Working Group and Recreation Facilities Master Plan Update
Parks and Recreation staff will give a presentation on plans to collaborate with school boards in developing partnerships aimed at expanding access to cricket programs for children and youth at both City and school board facilities. Additionally, staff will share updates on the Facilities Master Plan, focusing on initiatives for gender equity in the use of sports fields.
The City-School Boards Advisory Committee received the item for information.
TS4.3amended
Backlog of City Approvals for School Board Projects
Some school boards have experienced a wait time of an average of approximately 33 months for city approvals like site plan and city other approvals slowing down renovations, additions or new builds for schools in the City of Toronto. As you are aware school boards have recently lost childcare funding by the province due to in part the time frames to complete projects. Although our school boards have not received capital funding from the province in the past two years there are past projects that require city approvals before they can begin the additions, renovations or new childcare and schools. School boards like any other builder take advantage to construct projects in warmer weather and moreover, school boards attempt to do construction work in school communities when students are not attending school. All of the members of this committee are aware of the issues facing school boards in completing capital projects.
The City-School Boards Advisory Committee recommends that Executive Committee: 1. Request the Executive Director, Development Review to provide an update at the next City-School Boards Advisory Committee on the approval process for school projects and a list of outstanding projects in the City of Toronto.
Staff recommendation as filed
That the City-School Boards Advisory Committee recommends that the Executive Committee: 1. Request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to provide an update at the next City-School Board Advisory Committee on outstanding approvals for school projects in the City of Toronto; 2. Request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to meet with board staff to discuss pragmatic solutions to streamline the city approval process; and 3. Request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to recommend any possible changes that may lead to less wait time for school boards seeking city approvals.
TS4.4amended
Dear Chair and Members of the City-School Board Advisory Committee: All of the members of this committee are all aware of the insurmountable issues facing students today. From cyber bullying, the youth mental health crisis, increasing academic pressure, discrimination, poverty are only some. School boards are blessed to have student trustees on their school boards. They have committees on equity, social justice and others depending on the board. I am proposing the committee request student trustees from each board to attend the next meeting to present their perspectives about their needs and challenges. I would like to suggest we invite our student leaders to hear their voices at the next meeting. I respectfully request the City-School Board Advisory Committee to support this initiative.
The City-School Boards Advisory Committee: 1. Requested the Chair of the City-School Boards Advisory Committee to work with the four school boards to invite student trustees to present at a future meeting.
Staff recommendation as filed
Trustee Rizzo recommends that the City-School Boards Advisory Committee: 1. Invite student trustees from each board to attend the June 18, 2025 meeting to present their perspectives about their needs and challenges.