Ontario Takes Action on School Boards Amid Financial Concerns

The Ontario government is taking action against several school boards due to concerns about financial management. One board in London will be placed under provincial supervision, while financial investigations are being launched into three other boards. A fifth board is required to submit a plan to meet the government's fiscal and governance expectations.

The Thames Valley District School Board in London is the subject of the provincial supervision. This follows a costly retreat for executives last summer, which included a stay at a hotel within the Rogers Centre. The board was also facing a significant budget deficit at the time.

The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board is required to repay the expenses of a trip to Italy, as well as the cost of art purchased during the trip. The board is reviewing the province's report and will cooperate with the Ministry of Education.

Investigations are also underway for the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. These boards are facing various financial challenges, including deficits and issues with managing costs. The Toronto District School Board is dealing with ongoing financial issues, while the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has reported deficits related to pandemic responses and funding shortfalls. The Toronto Catholic District School Board is facing challenges due to unfunded costs and legacy commitments.

The investigations will determine whether the ministry should take control of each board. The final reports are expected to be submitted by the end of May.