The Board recently notified the Local that three Early Childhood Educator (ECE) positions will be affected for the 2026–27 school year. The reductions represent a significant loss for the Local, eliminating nearly one-third of the ECE workforce at the Board, where CUPE 65.09 represents approximately 10 ECEs.
CUPE 65.09 represents approximately 80 education workers at the Rainy River District School Board, including Early Childhood Educators, custodians, maintenance workers, and secretarial staff.
“These cuts are deeply concerning for our members and the students we support every day,” said Nicole Cheetham, Vice-President of CUPE 65.09. “ECEs play an essential role in supporting our youngest learners. Losing one-third of these positions means some students will lose access to the benefits of the kindergarten team model, including the play-based learning and early childhood development supports that ECEs provide.”
The cuts come despite kindergarten enrolment projections showing a decline of only two students and the scale of these reductions does not align with the projected change in student numbers. The impact these reductions will have on the kindergarten team model is especially concerning. Some kindergarten students, including students in split-grade classrooms, will be left without access to an ECE. In one SK/Grade 1 split class, 12 kindergarten students are expected to be without dedicated ECE support.
“Kindergarten students need consistent support, especially in their earliest years of learning,” Cheetham said. “ECEs help create safe, inclusive, play-based learning environments where children can develop the skills they need. These cuts will be felt by students, families, and staff.”
The OSBCU says these cuts reflect a broader pattern driven by chronic underfunding of education in Ontario since 2018.
“What we’re seeing at Rainy River District School Board is part of a broader pattern, where education workers are being asked to pay the price for underfunding,” said Joe Tigani, President of the OSBCU. “These are the people who support students with special needs, maintain safe schools and ensure schools function every day. Cutting these workers hurts everyone.”
CUPE 65.09 and the OSBCU are calling on the province to properly fund education and on the Rainy River District School Board to immediately reverse these job cuts.
“Students deserve safe, supported learning environments,” Tigani said. “That starts with investing in the education workers who make that possible. The OSBCU stands behind CUPE 65.09 members as they fight back. We are united in defending good jobs, protecting vital services, and pushing back against a system that continues to undervalue education workers and the students they serve.”
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For more information, please contact:
Chitra Kunnath, CUPE Communications, 416-317-0285, [email protected]
