big issues:special programs and program access
Toronto has four publicly funded school boards, split by language (English or French) and faith (public or Catholic). The English-language boards are the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB). The French-language boards are Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir.
Before you read: a note on provincial supervision. The TDSB and TCDSB have been under provincial supervision since June 27, 2025. Viamonde and MonAvenir are not. While supervision is in place, provincially appointed supervisors exercise powers that would normally belong to elected trustees. Unless otherwise noted, this primer describes a trustee's ordinary powers, outside supervision. To read more: Ontario government.
Where a child goes to school shapes which programs they can join. School boards make decisions about which programs they offer, where those programs are located and how students access them. These decisions can affect access to programs such as French immersion, specialized learning opportunities, and special education services.
The Province sets much of the framework for special programs and special education. School boards operate within those rules. Trustees help shape board priorities, policies, and spending decisions, but they do not manage individual admissions or placements. Here are three ways to understand the role trustees play in program access: the priorities and policies they set, how each board runs its own programs and admissions, and what has changed recently. These are not the only factors, and the largest levers belong to the Province.
Candidate answers
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Jennifer Di Francesco
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?Being a mother of two who has navigated special education for my own children, I know families should not have to fight or understand the system’s inner workings to access support. I would prioritize fair, timely access to special education, language and arts programs based on student needs and community demand not postal code or family income. I would push for clear information, transparent wait-lists and decisions that address transportation, accessibility and barriers faced by families.
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Stephanie Loor Ruiz
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?As trustee, I would ensure specialized programs remain accessible in every school, both in person and online. In a fast‑changing world shaped by AI, students need strong digital skills, support for diverse language learning, and spaces that preserve creativity. I would also prioritize giving students who need extra help the tools and resources to thrive.
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Paul Salvatori
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?I believe, as a School Board Trustee, that it is paramount that we not so much prioritize programs as prioritize the learning needs, interests and learning styles of students. Accordingly, I would be proactive in understanding and identifying these aspects of our students and ensuring that specialized programs are both offered and accessible in ways that respond to them. Every student should have the opportunity to engage in programs that are particularly suited to who they are as unique persons.
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Anton Perera
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?Allocating provincial and state educational funds to ensure special education programs are adequately equipped, staffed and housed. Balancing the budget while protecting critical student support services. Serving on or collaborating with the board’s special education advisory committee. Liaison with advocacy groups reviewing recommendations from local associations, families and experts. Developing and reviewing board-wide policies that guarantee a safe , welcoming and accessible learning environment for students of all abilities.
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Markus de Domenico
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?TCDSB is underfunded for the services we deliver to Special Ed students. The EAs that work with these students are burning out and students cannot attend classes because of a desperate lack of resources. This is fundamentally unfair to our most vulnerable learners. I support the International Language Programs offered at TCDSB. Learning language is a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with their heritage. In Ward 2 I instituted the "Ward 2 Emerging Young Artist Competition" where students from K -12 submitted their art and music work
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Sara Concordia
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?Every student should have a fair opportunity to access programs that help them learn, grow and succeed. As trustee, I would prioritize: Strong special-education programs and timely student supports Fair access to language, arts and other specialized programs Clear information so families understand their options I would listen to families, educators and students before making decisions. My goal would be to protect successful programs while making sure resources are shared fairly
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Susel Munoz Plasencia
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?I would prioritize equitable access, inclusion, and transparency. A student’s postal code, disability, family circumstances, or school should not determine whether they can access the support or program they need. Special education and ISP programs must be planned around the real needs of students and families, including transportation, staffing, classroom supports, and the logistics that make a program workable. Cuts to Special Ed is not a choice for me .
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Frank D'Amico
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?Every student deserves the opportunity to participate in programs that help them succeed and reach their full potential. I would advocate for fair decisions, and responsible use of resources. I continue to support language and arts, and other specialized programs. Having served on Special Education Committee I understand the importance of providing appropriate support for students. Sometimes communication is not there, and the trustee doesn’t hear about the needs in certain schools, this is where the Trustee must make themselves available.
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David Le
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?No child should feel left behind or believe the public school system has failed them. These programs should continue. Cutting them will only harm students. As a Trustee, I would allocate funding to special education classrooms and ensure students receive the support they need. I would develop policies to quickly identify students in need, which would also ease the strain on teachers. Amid recent threats to Canadian culture, I would advocate for fair funding for arts and French Immersion programs, as both are part of our identity.
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Karen Emerson
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?School boards are being asked to meet increasingly complex student needs with inadequate resources. Trustees must protect what is essential, make access more equitable, and include families in decisions being made. Special education has to be a priority. These supports are not optional, they are what makes it possible for many students to learn and participate. Long waits for assessments, insufficient educational assistants and supports, and families having to fight for services are signs of a system that is not serving our children.
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Md Sazibul Islam
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?My priority would be fair and accessible programming across Ward 10 and the TDSB. A student’s postal code, family income, disability or language should not prevent them from accessing suitable opportunities. I would support strong special-education services, language and arts programs, accessible transportation, and clear information for families. Decisions should be guided by student needs, community consultation and evidence, with regular reviews to identify and remove barriers.
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Glenn Kremp
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?The most important aspect is we don't lose these programs to budget cuts. I would have meaningful community engagement in how the programs are offered. I would work to make sure parents and students know if they are interested, the criteria the student needs to meet. I would encourage and promote students to attend the open house events. Working with the students to also have a prep event that can prepare them for the application process.
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Ravicha Ravinthiran
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?Growing up in the TDSB, I had the opportunity to take part in programs like Extended French and the International Baccalaureate program. I know firsthand how valuable these opportunities can be, and I will always advocate for strong investment in education and access to programs that help students grow. Where a student lives shouldn't determine the opportunities available to them. I would focus on making programs more accessible across the TDSB and addressing barriers like transportation, waitlists and a lack of clear information for families.
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Curtis Jack
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?I would work to direct funding toward EA staffing and professional supports to ensure that students with Intensive Support Programs and Individual Education plans are able to fulfill their needs within their home school and not need to bus out of area for assistance. I would work to review the board’s student transportation policy ensuring families that rely on transit are accepted into regional specialized programs have viable transit support.
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Abdul Azeem Mohammed
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?My school-council experience has shown me that equitable access requires measurable accountability. As Trustee, I would push for school-by-school reporting on program capacity, enrolment, waitlists, staffing, placement timelines and geographic access. I would support annual reviews of gaps and publish progress against clear targets. Families should receive timely information and meaningful avenues to raise concerns. Specialized programs must be accessible, properly resourced and evaluated by outcomes and not just intentions.
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Aria Garcia
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?As a Public School Board Trustee, I'd prioritize the language programs of students who were born in other countries such as Asians and Muslim who struggle to study English subject as compared to those students who were born in Canada, U.S.A. and Europe who have acquired English words since birth. Secondly, I'd introduce new arts programming which are taught in these countries so we can all learn about their history. Thirdly, I'd change specialized programs to hire psychologists or therapists to teach sick students in special homes separately.
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Ketan Purohit
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?I would prioritize fair access to TDSB’s specialized programs, including Special Education, French and other language programs, arts, STEM, IB and skilled-trades pathways. I would work to expand programs where demand is high, improve access across communities, and ensure clear and transparent admission processes. With specialized programs, we can connect students with the skills, experiences and career pathways towards successful employment and participation in the future workforce. I would seek Public-Private Partnership for hi-tech skills.
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Vimuththan Nantheeswarar
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?My priority would be updating the policy architecture that guides decision-making, accountability, transparency, access criteria, appeals, data-informed planning, and meaningful community engagement in how specialized programs are offered. I would champion equitable access standards that remove barriers related to geography, transportation, and historical exclusion. I would ensure special education supports are delivered equitably through timely assessments, student-centered services and community-informed planning that reflects evolving needs.
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Timothy Ellis
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?Toronto is a world-class city, and our children deserve world-class schools that allow them to pursue their education to the greatest extent their talents and inclinations allow. Conflict over access to specialized courses - especially in critical fields like the arts, which contribute billions to the Ontario economy - are a signal that demand is outstripping supply. We have a choice: we can arbitrarily ration access, or we can meet the demand and create the conditions for every child to achieve their full potential. I know what I choose.
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Ivan Voitsytskyi
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?I would prioritize fair access. Special education, language programs, and arts should be available to students who need them, not only to families who already know the system. A trustee should help parents understand how to apply and why a decision was made. I would ask the board to keep these programs in local schools where possible, so children in Etobicoke do not have to travel far.
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Andrew Massey
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?The equity vs. merit argument is based on fear and artificial scarcity from withheld provincial funding. We can do better. I would prioritize adopting a Proportional Allocation model that divides specialized program seats to proportionally mirror applicant pools and the broader student population. Something like Chicago’s CPS Tier System. The TDSB already has enough ethno-racial, demographic, and socioeconomic risk data to do this. Equitable, data-driven opportunities for the most deserving kids from every background is already possible.
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Andrene Gregory
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?I had a child who was diagnosed with ADHD in grade two, and both children attended French immersion from kindergarten and later double majored in the Arts. Now my granddaughter is in French immersion and showing strong interest in the Arts. So, these issues are near and dear to my heart. While none of my children had an IEP, I had to navigate the system with diligence to ensure that my daughter with ADHD education was never compromised. This is where I believe in the importance of parental involvement and being a strong advocate for their child
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Elina Feyginberg
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?I would advocate for enough resources to have the ability to run several programs. I believe students should be able to access additional programs of their particular interest. When prioritizing, I would consider the needs and priorities of each school on an individual basis. Each school will have specific set of needs and priorities that may differ from other schools. I would hold regular discussions with parents in order to determine the particular and unique programming needs of each school individually.
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Adam Golding
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?FUND THE ARTS has long been a cornerstone of all my campaigns, including for council, MP, and school board last time -- I am also a CODING and PIANO teacher and believe coding classes are a huge force multiplier for the arts, including computer music, graphic arts, game design, and storytelling. I will revamp the entire Ontario Coding Curriculum based on my open curriculum "The Goldingcode Curriculum" which I have already recommended to the Province in "What I Told Paul Calandra" on Substack.
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Tasha Kheiriddin
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?Children have different abilities, interests and needs. I support strong special education, language, arts, academic and skilled-trades programs. I have advocated at the TDSB for fair, merit-based access to specialized programs and against the specialized school admissions lottery. My principles are equality, accessibility and student need: remove barriers, expand successful programs and give every child the chance to reach their potential. Special education classes should also be reduced from 10 to 8 students, as they were previously.
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Axel Arvizu
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?I would prioritize equitable access to specialized programs while recognizing that each student and community has different needs. As a Trustee, I would advocate for transparent criteria, fair distribution of resources, and meaningful input from students, parents and educators. Programs should be accessible, sustainable and supported by evidence, with particular attention to students who need additional supports. Every student should have the opportunity to discover their strengths and reach their potential.
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Gladstone Cherrington
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs including special education language program and arts programming. I would prioritize the needs of students as well as the voices of parents in the decision making process. The “Model School” initiatives are examples of what is needed with each school reflecting the needs of the community while adhering to the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Education and the Provincial Government! Let’s invest in our students and they will succeed!
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Shaffni Nalir
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?Special programs only work if students can access them and receive the support they need once they are there. I would prioritize: Protecting special education programs and adequate staffing. Expanding access without increasing class sizes at the expense of student needs. Keeping strong arts and language programs available across the city. Making the process easier for parents to understand. Looking at geographic gaps so a family's postal code does not limit a child's opportunities.
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Imran Khan
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?All of them ! Each one of them is critical ! We have to have broad spectrum of programs for everyone and access should be smooth - without any strings attached ! When it comes to Education we can not pick and choose for the students - Let them show what they like to learn ! And this way we stop waste of resources ! So why cherry-pick things that a Learner is not interested in ! Let us open all doors for them !
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Ibrahim Hatia
School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?A child's future in Don Valley East and West should never be limited by which programs their family can reach. With French programs spread across different schools and entry points, I will push for clear information for all parents, reliable transport and learning support in both English and French. I will stand up for timely special education support and strong music and arts opportunities close to home. Parents will have my support in challenging barriers of cost, distance or confusing applications. Every child's talents deserve room to grow.