report presented to the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) suggests the re-opening of elementary schools for the 2020-21 school year — based on guidelines from SickKids — would exceed the province’s proposed investments by tens of millions of dollars.In a special meeting on Monday night, the board learned that about 900 additional classroom teachers would need to be hired to meet the 15 students per class recommendation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
That equates about $76 million in costs.So far, the report says the ministry of education has only earmarked funding of about $1.2 million to the board for additional caretakers expected to clean and disinfect classrooms.