Ontario appoints supervisors to four major school boards, citing mismanagement and financial troubles, as calls grow for more education funding.
Province Moves to Intervene in School Boards
Ontario’s Education Minister Paul Calandra announced Friday that the province has placed four more school boards under supervision due to what he called persistent mismanagement. The boards include the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board. The decision, unveiled on the last day of school for many students, comes as part of what Calandra describes as a necessary step to address deep financial issues and restore accountability.
Why Supervisors Were Appointed
According to the government, the boards in question face growing deficits, depleted reserves, and have ignored repeated opportunities to fix structural financial problems. Calandra cited investigations revealing troubling spending patterns, including reliance on asset sales to balance budgets. In some cases, such as Dufferin-Peel, the situation was described as nearing bankruptcy. The appointed supervisors — including former politicians and finance professionals — have been tasked with stabilizing the boards’ finances and ensuring resources support student achievement.
How the Province Plans to Reform Governance
Calandra’s announcement signals a broader intention to rethink school board governance in Ontario. He argued that too much decision-making has been decentralized over the years and that clearer rules and oversight are needed to ensure funds are directed toward classrooms. The move builds on earlier actions, such as the province’s takeover of the Thames Valley board in April over questionable spending. Calandra hinted at more interventions to come, saying boards across Ontario should be prepared for tighter scrutiny.
Where the Dispute Over Funding Stands
Critics argue the province’s actions deflect from the real issue: the underfunding of education. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation and opposition leaders point to billions cut from education budgets since 2018, saying boards are being set up to fail. They describe the latest takeovers as politically motivated, with supervisors lacking education expertise. Meanwhile, the government insists its $30.3 billion education budget represents record investment, a claim disputed by researchers who highlight declining per-student funding.
When the Changes Take Effect
The supervisors began their work immediately following Friday’s announcement. In addition, Calandra paused upcoming curriculum changes, including updates to kindergarten and history programs, to give teachers more preparation time. Educators had raised concerns about rushed rollouts and insufficient consultation. The government says the curriculum pause aligns with its broader review of education governance and aims to bring greater consistency to classrooms across the province.
What Comes Next for Ontario’s Schools
The intervention marks a turning point in how Ontario manages its education system. While the province promises stronger oversight and financial stability, school boards, unions, and opposition parties warn of eroding local control and misplaced priorities. As the supervisors begin their mandates, the debate over how best to support students, teachers, and schools is likely to intensify in the months ahead.
