York Region cancels 123 courses across 33 secondary schools due to provincial funding cuts

York Region high school students will have fewer course options to choose from in the upcoming semester due to bigger class sizes and provincial funding cuts.

In an open letter posted online, York Region District School Board (YRDSB) chair Corrie McBain and director of education Louise Sirisko said 159 courses across 33 secondary schools have been impacted.

While the impacted courses range by the school, 123 courses are now cancelled and 36 will have fewer classes. Additionally, the list includes only those courses that have been affected directly by the provincial change in class sizes in grades nine to 12.

At Markham District High School, for example, grade 12 physics has been cancelled, while grade 12 Advanced Placement English at Vaughan Secondary School will no longer be offered.

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“We recognize that these cancellations and reductions will be disappointing for students and families. We want to assure you that our schools have been doing their best to limit these numbers,” McBain and Sirisko said.

“In some cases, this may mean combining courses or increasing class sizes where possible within our existing collective agreements.”

Schools are now working with students to find alternative options to ensure they can continue in their chosen pathways.

According to the letter, because of provincial funding reductions, YRDSB expects to lose more than 90 teaching positions this year through attrition. However, no high school teachers will be laid off.

A full list of affected courses can be found here.