In response to a number of cases of financial mismanagement by school boards, the Ontario government is taking action to increase accountability and ensure boards are focused on improving student outcomes, so students are able to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. This includes immediate measures to increase oversight at several school boards of particular concern. The province will closely monitor the results of these measures and is prepared to take additional action to ensure all school boards are focused on delivering high-quality education as part of its plan to protect Ontario with a back-to-basics approach that prepares students and our workforce for whatever comes our way.
"Our government will be relentless in ensuring school boards stay focused on what matters most: equipping students with the tools they need to succeed," said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. "School boards must remain accountable and use public funds to directly benefit students and provide teachers and educators with the resources they need in the classroom."
The government is taking immediate action to address failures at several boards. As a first step, the province is appointing a supervisor to oversee the Thames Valley District School Board and requiring the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board to submit an implementation plan to meet the ministry's fiscal and governance expectations. These actions are being taken based on the findings of two reports that demonstrate extremely poor judgement by the school boards in the use of public funds.
The government is also launching financial investigations at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Toronto District School Board after their failures to address ongoing financial deficit and spending concerns. The investigators will validate the school boards' current financial positions and present a report on their findings to the Minister of Education.
"We have been clear: Transparency and accountability from Ontario school boards is mandatory," said Minister Calandra. "Further actions will be taken if the situation at these school boards does not improve. As the new Minister of Education, I will be looking at every avenue to bring more transparency, consistency and accountability to all school boards across the province."
These reviews and investigations are an essential part of the government's ongoing efforts to uphold trust in the province's publicly funded education system, including promoting school board accountability and transparency in the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023.
Quick Facts
- Oversight of school board finances and adherence to balanced budget requirements under the Education Act are key responsibilities of school boards.
- While Ontario provides annual funding for the province's school boards, they are accountable for the quality of educational programs, student performance and the prudent management of financial resources.
- When performance or financial issues occur within school boards, the Ministry of Education can conduct reviews and/or financial investigations in respect of those matters.
- The Ontario government invested more than $29 billion in total education funding for the 2024-25 school year. The province is also committed to provide about $16 billion to support new school construction, renewal and improvement over 10 years.
- The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023 was passed to enhance transparency and strengthen accountability in schools. The goal is to ensure that all parts of the province's publicly funded education system are collectively focused on what matters most: improving student achievement.
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