The Ontario government is taking control of the Near North District School Board.
It’s being done after a ministry review confirmed deep-rooted dysfunction and mismanagement that Education Minister Paul Calandra says have eroded public confidence.
“I will not stand by while a board’s incompetence directly impacts student achievement,” says Calandra. “This decisive action should serve as a warning to any board that is failing in its responsibility to put students first. We are putting school boards on notice that I now have the authority to quickly assume control where there is clear mismanagement and ensure accountability on behalf of parents and teachers.”
Calandra says the Near North Board failed to comply with ten of the 15 binding directions he issued after the review, which relates to delays with the new Parry Sound school.
He also says he’ll be providing supervision of the board until a supervisor is named.
Six school boards in Ontario are currently under supervision to address concerns related to growing deficits, depleting reserves and mismanagement.
The minister’s newly broadened powers of oversight and authority were enabled when legislation received Royal Assent last month.
