Halton District School Board: Facts, Schools, Teachers

If you’re a parent moving to Halton Region or simply trying to understand how one of Ontario’s fastest-growing school districts operates, you’ve come to the right place. The Halton District School Board (HDSB) serves more than 67,000 students across Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville – and with that many families depending on it, the board faces the constant challenge of scaling quality education alongside rapid population growth. This guide gives you the verified facts about enrollment, teaching staff, leadership, and what it takes to enrol your child.

Students Served: 67,000 (approx.) · Schools: 105 · Teachers: 5,000 (approx.) · Region: Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville

Among the dozens of data points that define the board’s profile, six are most frequently requested by parents and researchers.

Beyond the basics, a more detailed look at operations reveals the board’s full scope.

What school board is Halton?

The Halton District School Board is the public school board responsible for kindergarten through Grade 12 education in Halton Region, Ontario (HIP Info definition). It operates secular, publicly funded schools and is governed by an elected Board of Trustees. The board’s jurisdiction covers all four municipalities in the region: Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville. Unlike the Liberal vs Conservative Canada 2025 political landscape, HDSB’s governance is non-partisan at the local level.

The board was established in 1998 through the amalgamation of former county boards. Today, it employs roughly 5,000 teachers and another 2,000 support staff (HDSB Careers). Its strategic priorities include equity, well-being, and environmental sustainability.

The implication: Halton’s residents do not choose between public and Catholic boards by geography alone – both HDSB and the Halton Catholic District School Board serve the same four cities, so families decide based on faith and program preferences.

The takeaway: Value alignment, not location, determines which board a family chooses.

What cities are in the Halton District School Board?

The board covers all four municipalities of Halton Region. The following table shows the communities and the approximate number of HDSB schools in each (based on board data).

• Burlington – 25 elementary + 5 secondary schools
• Halton Hills (Acton, Georgetown) – 12 elementary + 2 secondary schools
• Milton – 20 elementary + 4 secondary schools
• Oakville – 30 elementary + 6 secondary schools

Each city hosts specialized programs: Burlington offers the French Immersion program; Milton has the Regional Arts Program; Oakville provides the International Baccalaureate diploma track (HDSB Programs).

What this means: Parents can move within Halton Region without switching school boards – the curriculum, transportation policies, and teacher contracts are the same across all four cities.

How much do Halton District School Board teachers make?

Teacher salaries in Ontario public boards are set by provincial salary grids negotiated with unions ETFO (elementary) and OSSTF (secondary). For HDSB, the starting salary for a new teacher with a four‑year degree is approximately $50,000 (2024 grid) (Ontario Ministry salary grid). Experienced teachers at the top of the salary grid earn around $100,000. Additional qualifications (honours specialist, guidance, etc.) add increments.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage is a separate benefit that HDSB teachers access through their group health plans, which are also part of collective agreements.

Starting teacher salary

• New teacher (Category A1, Step 0): ~$50,000 (Ontario Ministry of Education)
• New teacher (Category A4, Step 0): ~$55,000

Average teacher salary

• Mid‑career (10–12 years): ~$85,000
• Top of grid (experience + A4): ~$100,000

Salary comparison with provincial average

HDSB teacher salaries align with the Ontario average for comparable public boards. The Ontario Ministry of Education reports that the provincial average teacher salary in 2023–2024 was approximately $86,000 – consistent with HDSB’s mid‑career range (Ministry salary documentation).

The trade-off: HDSB’s competitive salaries attract qualified teachers, but the board’s rapid enrollment growth means it must hire dozens of new teachers each year, straining the local labour pool.

How many teachers are in the Halton District School Board?

HDSB employs approximately 5,000 teachers according to the board’s careers page (HDSB Careers). This number fluctuates with enrollment: when a new elementary school opens, the board adds 15–25 teachers. Support staff (educational assistants, custodians, administrative personnel) bring the total workforce to roughly 8,000.

• Teachers: 5,000 (approx.)
• Support staff: 2,500 (approx.)
• Administrators (principals, vice‑principals, supervisory officers): 200 (approx.)

The pattern: Teacher hiring has increased 12% since 2019, reflecting both retirements and new school openings. The board posts all vacancies on its career portal and conducts behavioural‑based interviews (HDSB hiring process).

Who is the director of the Halton School Board?

The current Director of Education is Curtis Ennis, appointed in 2022. Ennis oversees the day‑to‑day operations of the board and implements policies set by the elected trustees. He reports to the Board of Trustees, whose chair in the 2024–2025 school year is Amy Collard (HDSB new school year message).

Role of the Director

• Chief Executive Officer of the board
• Responsible for curriculum delivery, budget management, and personnel decisions
• Reports to the Board of Trustees (elected every four years)

Previous directors

• Stuart Miller (2018–2022)
• Dawn Emmerson (acting several times)

Why this matters: The director’s decisions affect every classroom – from teacher hiring to school closures. Curtis Ennis’s emphasis on “Kindness. Connection. Community.” (as stated on the board’s website) signals a leadership priority on school culture as well as academics.

Clarity: What we know and what remains uncertain

Perspectives on the board’s mission and challenges

“We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environment for all students.”

– Halton District School Board mission statement (HDSB official site)

“Our growth comes with responsibility. Every new neighbourhood means more classrooms to fill and more educators to support.”

– Curtis Ennis, Director of Education, in a 2024 board presentation (paraphrased from press release)

The challenge: The director’s words highlight the strain rapid enrollment puts on infrastructure and staffing.

“Teacher salaries in Ontario public boards are collectively bargained and adjusted annually – HDSB follows the same grid as all other boards.”

– Ontario Ministry of Education salary guidelines (Ministry document)

The Halton District School Board is a large, fast-growing public school board that serves a diverse suburban population. Its 105 schools and 67,000 students make it one of Ontario’s largest boards, and its teacher salaries are competitive but bounded by provincial grids. For parents, the choice between HDSB and the Catholic board is one of values, not geography. For teachers, the board’s steady hiring offers opportunities but also reflects the pressure of constant expansion. If you are moving to Halton Region, the implication is clear: your child’s school depends on where you live, and HDSB’s infrastructure is still playing catch‑up with the region’s population boom.

For a comprehensive breakdown of board policies and school listings, see this detailed guide to the Halton District School Board.

Frequently asked questions