Toronto School Board Under Scrutiny: A Province-Wide Trend

Ontario’s education landscape is experiencing a significant upheaval, with the provincial government intervening in an unprecedented number of school boards. The recent actions surrounding the Toronto School Board, along with several others across the province, have sparked debate about the future of public education and the role of elected trustees. Education Minister Paul Calandra has emphasized the need for “immediate intervention” whenever student learning is at risk, but critics question whether these takeovers represent a power grab and a dismantling of local control.

A Growing List of Interventions

Over the past nine months, seven school boards have had their powers stripped away, with an eighth facing potential supervision. This includes major boards like the Toronto District School Board and the Peel District School Board, representing roughly one-third of all students in Ontario. The scale of these interventions is unprecedented, leaving many wondering if this is a temporary fix or a prelude to a more fundamental restructuring of the education system.

Initially, the justifications for these takeovers centered on financial concerns – multi-year deficits and questionable budgeting. However, the scope has broadened to include issues of dysfunctional leadership, as seen in the Near North board where students were learning in a partially demolished building. In the case of the Peel District School Board, the claim of preventing teacher layoffs was disputed by Trustee David Green.

Is This a Trial Run for a New Governance Model?

Some observers believe Minister Calandra is laying the groundwork for a system without elected trustees, viewing these interventions as a “trial run” for a new governance model. New Democrat education critic Chandra Pasma argues that the Minister is strategically building a narrative of trustee incompetence to justify the eventual elimination of elected boards.

Calandra, however, insists these are not tests but necessary responses to immediate crises. He states the goal is to ensure a consistent level of education across the province and to prioritize student success. “The ministry has to step up to provide a more consistent level of education across the province,” he explained.

Concerns and Criticisms

Despite the Minister’s assurances, concerns remain. Kathleen Woodcock, head of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, emphasizes that supervision should be a last resort and that trustees want to collaborate with the government to strengthen the education system. However, she notes that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to do so as key decisions are made at Queen’s Park without local input.

Critics also point to the high cost of supervision – supervisors earn salaries of around $360,000 – and question whether these interventions are truly improving outcomes. There are complaints about reduced communication and a lack of transparency compared to when trustees were in charge. Furthermore, there’s growing concern that the government is using these takeovers to seize control of school board finances and real estate.

What’s Next for Ontario’s School Boards?

As the situation unfolds, the future of Ontario’s school boards remains uncertain. Supervisors are tasked with addressing deficits and improving student achievement, but they also face the challenge of balancing budgets and making difficult decisions about school closures and program cuts. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario warns that the government’s approach is a “failed playbook” that has not yielded positive results in the past.

While the government maintains that school boards will continue to exist, the expectation is that they will operate under stricter guidelines and increased oversight. The focus, according to Minister Calandra, is on “clear, concise decision-making” that puts kids first and minimizes conflict. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these interventions will lead to a more effective and equitable education system for all Ontario students.

Learn more about Ontario’s education system: Ontario Ministry of Education