Ontario's Education Minister has confirmed a further delay in the completion of Parry Sound High School, a project mired in controversy and setbacks. The announcement, made on December 16, 2025, comes alongside a firm commitment from the province to increase its oversight of the troubled Near North District School Board (NNDSB), which oversees the project.
Province Steps In Amid Ongoing Chaos
The situation at the Near North District School Board has been described by the minister as "chaotic," prompting decisive action from Queen's Park. The province is now prepared to place the board under its direct jurisdiction, a move that has been fast-tracked following the recent passage of Bill 33. This legislation grants the government enhanced powers to intervene in school board operations deemed dysfunctional.
The minister has warned the board's trustees of a potential full provincial takeover, a drastic step underscoring the severity of the ongoing issues. A recent scathing report from the Ministry of Education painted a damning picture of the board's governance, leading to internal action but failing to prevent the latest Parry Sound delay.
Community Frustration Boils Over in Parry Sound
The immediate impact of the construction mismanagement is being felt acutely by students and families in Parry Sound. Students have already faced disruptions, having been moved to remote learning earlier due to the unfinished construction. While they were able to return to in-person classes on a recent Monday, the school remains an active construction site, raising ongoing safety concerns among parents.
Frustration has spilled into public demonstrations, with students rallying at the shuttered high school. The community's trust has been severely eroded, leading to calls from local trustees for a formal probe into the delays and from the town itself to exit the troubled school board entirely.
What Happens Next?
The education minister is expected to decide the fate of the Near North District School Board imminently. The province's intervention signals a loss of confidence in the board's current leadership to deliver critical infrastructure projects and manage its duties effectively.
This case sets a significant precedent, as the government demonstrates its willingness to use new legislative tools to assume control of school boards. The eyes of other Ontario school districts will be on Parry Sound, as the province's actions here may signal its approach to other boards facing similar challenges. For now, Parry Sound students and staff must navigate an incomplete learning environment while awaiting a final resolution from the provincial government.
