Ontario will require every school board to launch student and family support offices by 2026, starting with five provincially supervised boards this January.
Ontario Orders School Boards to Launch New Student and Family Support Offices
Province announces major governance move
The Ontario government has directed school boards across the province to create new student and family support offices, a centralized resource aimed at resolving escalated concerns brought forward by parents. The Ministry of Education announced the initiative Thursday, framing it as part of a broader overhaul of school board governance.
First rollout to supervised boards in January
Five school boards currently under provincial supervision—Ottawa-Carleton District, Dufferin-Peel Catholic, Thames Valley District, Toronto District, and Toronto Catholic—must open the new offices by January 2026. These boards were placed under government control earlier this year due to allegations of mismanagement and operational failures.
The province says additional details for these five offices will be posted publicly on each board’s website by January 19.
Province-wide implementation by September 2026
All remaining school boards across Ontario will be required to launch similar offices by September 1, 2026. According to the Ministry of Education, every office will be overseen by a designated supervisor who must acknowledge inquiries within two business days and aim to deliver a full response within five business days.
Officials describe the units as a “clear pathway” for families needing intervention beyond the classroom level.
Goal: faster answers for complex school issues
In its release, the ministry said the new offices will serve families dealing with “contentious or complex issues that need to be escalated after speaking with the school,” as well as concerns with broader community impact. The aim, the province says, is to provide clearer accountability and more efficient resolution timelines for parents who have struggled to find answers through existing channels.
Government links new offices to governance reform
Education Minister Paul Calandra said the initiative reflects a wider push to modernize what he called an outdated governance model. He stated the new offices will “give families clear answers and timely solutions when it comes to their child’s education,” positioning the move as a step toward restoring confidence in school oversight.
Calandra has also fast-tracked legislation expanding ministerial powers to place school boards under supervision, indicating more boards could be taken over once the bill passes.
Next steps and potential implications
If additional boards are placed under supervision, they will be required to implement the new support offices immediately, mirroring the timelines imposed on the initial five. The province has not yet clarified the cost of launching and operating the offices or whether additional funding will be provided to boards already facing budgetary challenges.
