The Ontario government has stepped in to take control of the Near North District School Board, citing ongoing dysfunction and a failure to follow ministry directives.
Education Minister Paul Calandra said the decision comes after the board failed to address serious leadership issues identified in a recent report. “I will not stand by while a board’s incompetence directly impacts student achievement,” he stated, emphasizing that this move sends a clear message to other boards about accountability.
The ministry’s report highlighted a “deficit of leadership” from the director of education and a fractured relationship between trustees and administration. Reviewer Rachel Osborne said there was no viable path forward under the current leadership to restore public trust.
Last month, the minister issued 15 binding directives for the board, including implementing a professional development plan for trustees and retaining an external expert to review the director’s performance. The board failed to comply with 10 of these directives within the set timelines, prompting provincial supervision.
A supervisor will be appointed to oversee the board, while Calandra will provide interim supervision. This marks the sixth school board in Ontario to be placed under direct provincial control under new legislation, joining boards in major regions including Ottawa, Toronto, and Peel.
The government’s intervention underscores its commitment to student-focused governance and signals stricter oversight for boards struggling with mismanagement.
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