Ontario Government Tables Legislation to Overhaul School Board Governance
The Doug Ford Progressive Conservatives have introduced new legislation aimed at enhancing accountability and supporting student achievement within Ontario's school boards. Tabled on Monday, the Putting Student Achievement First Act seeks to address what the government describes as widespread financial mismanagement and poor governance across the province's educational institutions.
Education Minister Paul Calandra Leads Reform Efforts
Education Minister Paul Calandra emphasized the need for stable and accountable leadership in schools. In a statement, he acknowledged the dedication of teachers and education workers, stating, "They deserve stable, accountable leadership that supports their work and puts learning first." He further warned that the government will not hesitate to take additional action if required to protect students and reinforce respect for educators.
Key Changes for School Trustees
The legislation introduces several significant reforms for elected school trustees:
- Limits on expenses and honorariums: Trustee honorariums will be capped at $10,000 annually, a move intended to curb excessive spending. Currently, trustees earn a base $5,000, with chairs receiving an extra $5,000, plus variable enrollment-based funds.
- Cap on trustee numbers: Each school board will be limited to a maximum of 12 trustees, with small boards having between five and 12. This change notably reduces the Toronto District School Board from 22 to 12 trustees, aligning it with the Toronto Catholic District School Board.
- Restrictions on discretionary spending: Trustees will no longer be allowed to use board funds for non-essential conferences or external memberships, addressing past abuses highlighted by high-profile cases.
Recent scandals have fueled these reforms, including trustees at the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic board spending $190,000 on a trip to Italy for art purchases, resulting in nearly $60,000 in legal fees. Similarly, Toronto Catholic school board chair Markus de Domenico used nearly $7,000 in board money for personal electronics like Apple Airpods and iPads.
Overhaul of School Board Management Roles
The bill also redefines key administrative positions within school boards:
- Directors of Education rebranded as CEOs: These roles will now require business qualifications to ensure better financial oversight and delivery of expected outcomes.
- Introduction of Chief Education Officer (CEdO): A new position requiring Ontario College of Teachers certification will focus on improving student achievement. One individual may hold both CEO and CEdO roles if qualified.
- Enhanced dismissal protections: Trustees can still appoint CEOs, but ministerial approval will be needed for dismissals, preventing retaliatory actions against board leadership.
Additional Provisions and Background
Further measures in the legislation include centralizing bargaining processes, granting the minister authority to oversee or cancel capital school projects, and prohibiting board officials from using their positions for geopolitical advocacy. It also mandates approved learning resources, dissolves the Languages of Instruction Commission of Ontario, expands use of the Ontario Education Number (OEN) from birth to streamline child care, and condenses the Bachelor of Education program from two years to one.
The move follows a series of provincial interventions, with eight school boards placed under supervision since 2025 due to mismanagement allegations. Currently, boards like the Peel District School Board and York Catholic District School Board are under provincial control, cited for infighting and financial instability that risk student learning.
Student Performance Concerns Drive Action
Minister Calandra pointed to concerning standardized test results as a catalyst for the reforms. Data shows that 42% of Grade 9 English-language students and about half of Grade 6 students fail to meet provincial math standards. Only 58% of Grade 9 students met standards in recent assessments, a slight increase from previous years, while Grade 6 students saw just 51% meeting standards, highlighting ongoing challenges in educational outcomes.
This comprehensive legislative effort aims to restore public trust and prioritize student success across Ontario's education system, addressing both governance flaws and academic performance issues.
