The Ford government has put an eighth Ontario school board under the direct control of the Ministry of Education, appointing a supervisor to sideline trustees in York Region and confirming a separate takeover in Peel.
The latest takeover is one that the government telegraphed more than a month ago.
At the end of January, Education Minister Paul Calandra took control of the Peel District School Board, appointing himself as temporary supervisor. Simultaneously, he told York Catholic District School Board’s trustees they could be next.
Calandra is allowed to appoint supervisors to school boards, something recent government legislation made easier.
Thursday’s announcement means a full-time supervisor has been appointed in Peel. Another supervisor has been named for York.
Heather Watt, a management consultant, will take over the day-to-day running of Peel public. Carrie Kormos, with a background in consulting and casinos, will take over York Catholic.
Education Minister Paul Calandra said the moves came as a result of concerns about long-term financial sustainability and “infighting” among trustees.
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“After careful review, it is clear that both Peel and York Catholic are facing serious challenges that they cannot resolve on their own,” he wrote in a statement.
“I have appointed supervisors to restore sound management, strengthen oversight and ensure every decision is focused on protecting student learning and success.”
When Calandra put himself in charge of Peel District School Board at the end of January, he said he would listen to arguments from both Peel and York Catholic on why they should not be taken over full-time.
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They were submitted in February and appear to have been rejected by the government.
The move is part of a string of school board takeovers that began last year.
Both the public and Catholic boards in Toronto are under the direct control of Queen’s Park. So are the two boards in Peel Region.
Ottawa-Carleton, Thames Valley and Near North district school boards are the other three boards with supervisors. Ontario has a total of 72 school boards.
The boards now directly controlled by the province, however, are responsible for more than 750,000 students in Ontario.
Figures for the 2023-24 school year show Ontario had just over two million students.
The boards under supervision had the following student populations:
- Toronto DSB — 237,679
- Peel DSB — 148,917
- Toronto CDSB — 85,923
- Thames Valley DSB — 84,489
- Ottawa-Carleton DSB — 77,325
- Dufferin-Peel CDSB — 71,354
- York CDSB — 49,478
- Near North DSB — 10,171
The province said in a statement its two newest supervisors would look to improve the financial situation at the two boards they are being sent to.
“Ms. Watt and Ms. Kormos will provide the ministry with regular updates on their work to stabilize the boards’ financial situation, introduce efficiency measures and strengthen overall operational effectiveness,” a news release read.
A casino manager is now in charge of a school board!?!? Wow! What a great idea!! That’s like the goat farmer who was in charge of education ministry!!! Boy that grade Ten dropout DugFraud govt really knows how to deal with Education in Ontario!!!! Detecting any sarcasm?
Should disband the union
That would solve almost every single issue
I’m glad that they took over, time to reel these school boards in,they think they’re budgets are for them to spend on them selves for junckets to Rodgers for Blue Jay games and massages or flying to Italy to buy art work on your dime, these budgets are for the learning of students and their education 🤔
Come take over the ones in Peterborough Ontario
Time to vote this American wanna be stooge out!