WCDSB and union clash over morning supervisor cuts

Headquarters for the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. (File)

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) is defending its decision to eliminate morning supervisor positions, framing the move as a reallocation of resources rather than a budget cut, after it was condemned by the union representing education workers.

CUPE 2512, which represents 1,200 support staff at the board, issued a media release Tuesday stating 15 morning supervisor roles would be cut at the end of the school year, a move the union argued lacked justification.

Mechelle O’Hagan, president of CUPE 2512, said the cuts would impact 11 elementary schools.

“Morning supervisors play a critical role in supporting students before the school day begins, ensuring they are safely supervised on the yard,” she explained. “The decision to eliminate these positions is not justified and lacks clear rationale, especially when student enrollment is growing and the board is receiving increased funding.”

WCDSB’s response

The school board said the morning supervisor position was introduced more than a decade ago as a temporary measure to help families adapt to synchronized busing and staggered bell times. Following a review, the board determined the role was no longer needed and decided to reallocate those funds and hours to create 11 full-time equivalent lunch hour positions, where demand for supervision is highest.

“Student supervision before school will continue,” the board said in the statement to CTV News. “Every school has a supervision schedule in place, and that will not change.”

It continued: “We are committed to supporting our staff through this transition and to working in close collaboration with our labour partners throughout.”

The union previously stated the job cuts coincided with a four per cent increase in provincial funding, and that enrollment was expected to increase by an additional 600 students for the 2026-27 school year.

The school board disputed the union’s claims that enrolment was expected to grow by more than 600 students next year. They said that number was not accurate and did not come from the WCDSB.

For the 2026-27 school year, the school board told CTV News they were only expecting a modest increase in secondary school enrolment, while elementary school enrolment was projected to “flatline.”