Quick Read
- Parents and teachers rallied in Toronto this week over major staff changes at Bowmore Road Junior and Senior Public School.
- Two teachers were terminated, eight suspended, and the principal and vice-principal reassigned or dismissed since September 2025.
- The upheaval is linked to a new single-teacher instructional model for Grades 7 and 8 and unresolved safety issues like bullying and vandalism.
- The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) announced investigations, a safety audit, new staff appointments, and camera installations.
- The TDSB is currently under provincial supervision, raising questions about decision-making authority.
TORONTO (Azat TV) – Parents and teachers at Bowmore Road Junior and Senior Public School in Toronto have staged rallies this week, protesting significant staff changes that have seen multiple educators terminated, suspended, and reassigned. The upheaval, which includes the dismissal of the vice-principal, the reassignment of the principal, the termination of two teachers, and the suspension of eight others, has deeply unsettled the school community and raised serious questions about administrative transparency and student welfare.
The widespread dissatisfaction stems from a series of events unfolding since September 2025, primarily linked to a controversial shift in the instructional model for Grade 7 and 8 students and escalating safety concerns within the school. Community members are demanding clear answers and the reinstatement of beloved faculty.
Bowmore School Staffing Turmoil Sparks Outcry
The extent of the staffing changes at Bowmore School has been described as ‘absolutely unprecedented’ by Helen Victoros, President of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto (ETT). The entire Grade 7 and 8 teaching team, excluding special education classes, is currently absent, according to Michelle Aarts, a trustee of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and a parent at Bowmore.
Parents, including Jenn Engels, co-chair of the parent council, have voiced feelings of hurt and anger over the turmoil. Mercedes Lee, a parent of twin Grade 7 students, criticized the treatment of faculty who were advocating for community interests and affirmed the desire to have these teachers reinstated. The situation has led to calls for greater accountability from the TDSB, with parents organizing a rally to publicly express their frustrations on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Simultaneously, the ETT union held a supportive rally outside the TDSB offices on Tuesday, February 3, condemning the heavy-handed approach against the educators.
Instructional Model and Safety Concerns at Bowmore Road
Tensions at Bowmore School escalated in September 2025 when the administration adopted a new instructional model for Grade 7 and 8 students. This change replaced a dual-teacher system, where two teachers collaborated in each class to prepare students for high school, with a single-teacher approach. Many parents and teachers believe that the disciplinary actions against staff members are a direct consequence of their opposition to this new ‘core’ model, which reportedly increased teacher workload and led to the loss of extracurricular activities.
Beyond the administrative upheaval, safety issues have plagued the school, with incidents of bullying, including racial slurs, and vandalism emerging. Parents like McBride have shared concerns about their children’s safety and basic needs not being met, with some students even asking to come home for lunch due to food theft. The chaotic environment, as described by Engels, suggests that the disciplinary actions against teachers might be diverting attention from larger systemic issues within the TDSB.
TDSB Response Amid Provincial Oversight
In response to the growing unrest, Stacey Zucker, the interim director of education for the TDSB, issued a communication to parents, reassuring families that investigations into the raised issues are underway or have already occurred. The school board is undertaking an audit to assess safety protocols and has initiated several staffing changes. New appointments include a principal and superintendent, alongside additional safety monitors and support staff. The board also plans to enhance safety measures by installing cameras within the school, and a permanent principal is expected to start on February 17, 2026.
However, the context of these actions is complex. Last year, Queen’s Park took over control of several Ontario school boards, including Toronto’s public and Catholic boards, suspending trustees and appointing supervisors to address alleged mismanagement. Elementary Teachers of Toronto President Helen Victoros believes the current disciplinary actions against Bowmore teachers are taking place under provincial supervision, limiting the board’s autonomy. This supervisory status further complicates parents’ ability to influence changes effectively, leading to ongoing concerns about communication barriers with the administration.
The ongoing situation at Bowmore School highlights a critical tension between administrative directives, staff welfare, and community engagement, exacerbated by the unique circumstances of provincial oversight on the Toronto District School Board. The perceived lack of transparency and the severe impact on both students and educators underscore the challenges of implementing significant policy changes without broad stakeholder consensus and robust support systems.