who does what at the tcdsb

The Director of Education is the TCDSB's Chief Executive Officer. The director is the one and only employee of the TCDSB hired by the board of trustees. They are responsible for overseeing the operations of the school board and carrying out of the board's stated Mission and Vision. 

The director is the final escalation point for resolution of student and school issues. For more information, visit the Council of Ontario Directors of Education (CODE) website. 

The two other 'C-Suite" positions at the TCDSB are:

•  Associate Director of Corporate Services and Chief Commercial Officer​: head of the business side of the board operations 
•  Associate Director of Academic Affairs and Chief Operating Officer: head of the academic side of the board operations, and after the local school superintendent is the next level of escalation for student and school-related issues (see below).

School superintendents are responsible for groups of schools (called 'areas') in the TCDSB.  Your local school superintendent and their contact information is included at the bottom of your school's board website page. 

The local school superintendent is the next level of escalation if your student or school issue cannot be resolved by the teacher or school principal OR if the issue is broader than one school.  

Superintendents are also often responsible for overseeing board-wide programs, including Special Education, Safe Schools, Parent Engagement, Curriculum and Nurturing our Catholic Community. There are also business services superintendents, including HR, Technology, Planning & Development (school physical improvements and new schools)

For a full list of superintendents and their email addresses, visit the board's Senior Leadership Team page.

For more information, visit the Ontario Public Supervisory Officers’ Association.

The school principal is the head administer and head teacher of a school. They:

• oversee teaching and develop the School Learning Improvement Plan (SLIP) - with the local school superintendent, and in consultation with parents - for the school year. This plan is meant to respond to the specific local learning needs of students in a given school year based on teacher input. NOTE: The SLIP is to be shared with parents near the start of every school year.
• supervise school staff and manage hiring of teaching staff, as needed - based on board policy and collective bargained agreements and regulations
• admit students and support special education placements - based on board policy
• administer the school’s Bock Budget - the board provided fund for local classroom and administrative needs, including textbooks - and informs parents of fund allocation. NOTE: The Block Budget is generally NOT enough to allow principals to provide students and teachers with what they need. These funds are approved by trustees at budget time every year.)
• maintain student records and ensure report cards are sent to parents
• oversee student discipline and make decisions re. suspensions and expulsions
• work with the Catholic School Parent Council to encourage parent engagement in support of student academic achievement and well being.
• work with facility staff to ensure the school building is maintained
• respond to Ministry requests for information and reports (there are often many).

Principals are the first level of escalation, after the classroom teacher, when it comes to resolving issues or concerns related to a student or school-related matter.

For more information, visit Catholic Principals Council of Ontario

 Teachers are responsible for:

• preparing lesson plans and teaching classes. NOTE: -teachers receive 240 minutes (or 4 hours) per week of Preparation & Evaluation Time during the 6.4 hour school day.
• encouraging students in their studies and evaluating student work and progress
• supervising students behaviour and maintaining classroom discipline
• running extra-curricular sports, clubs and activities - this is voluntary, based on collectively-bargained agreements. 

The classroom teacher should be the first point of contact when it comes to resolving issues or concerns related to a student or classroom matter.