A Message from HWDSB’s Director of Education: 2026-2027 Staffing & Budget Update

Dear HWDSB Families and Communities,

At HWDSB, our responsibility is to support student achievement and well-being while managing public resources carefully, and responsibly.

Thank you to families, students, staff, and community members who contributed to the 2026–2027 budget consultation process. Your engagement has helped shape the decisions now being made to support the financial stability of HWDSB.

The province released its 2026 Provincial Budget on March 26. We anticipate detailed funding allocations for school boards to be released later in April. In the meantime, the Board is making necessary decisions based on the information currently available.

Trustees and senior staff have been actively engaged in the budget process. Budget parameters and guiding principles have been established, informed by feedback from staff, families, community members, and students. On March 30, Trustees approved preliminary staffing levels for the 2026–2027 school year. These decisions are based on anticipated funding, required timelines, and a focus on directing resources where they most support student learning and well-being. As part of this process, some staff redundancies are anticipated.

These decisions are difficult and are made with care and respect for the people affected. We recognize the impact this may have on our staff, and we remain committed to acting in a manner that reflects the values central to HWDSB–dignity, compassion, and trust.

The Board is exercising strong fiscal responsibility by taking a careful and conservative approach to planning, aligning resources with available funding, and making thoughtful operational adjustments. These actions are focused on ensuring continued system stability.

Throughout this work, student achievement and well-being remain at the centre of every decision. Trust and transparency continue to guide how we communicate and lead.

Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your continued trust in public education.

Sincerely,

Sheryl Robinson Petrazzini

Director of Education, HWDSB