Ministry of Education appointing supervisor of OCDSB following financial investigation

The Ministry of Education will be appointing a supervisor within the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) following investigations into the finances.

In a press release, Paul Calandra, the Minister of Education, said the board has “failed in its responsibilities” to parents and students, “losing sight of it’s core mission.”

Ottawa’s public board is not the only one across the province having a supervisor appointed; others include the Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. In April, Calandra said he was increasing accountability and transparency measures to address “failures” at the boards.

He said the boards must use public funds to directly benefit students and provide resources needed by teachers and educators.

The reason for OCDSB to be under supervision from the ministry is because it has “completed depleted its reserves, incurred the lack of a financial recovery plan,” the government said.

On the OCDSB website, the board notes it can carry a 1 per cent deficit if it has surplus available to cover it.

“We’re strengthening oversight and accountability so that parents can have the confidence that every dollar is spent responsibly to directly benefit students. I have made it clear that if a school board veers off its mandate, I will take action to restore focus, rebuild trust and put students first,” he said in a press release.

The goal of the supervisors is to bring experience to the boards and expertise in financial management and oversight. The press release notes that the supervisors will represent the ministry’s “vested control” and oversee and manage the administration of the boards.

Ontario’s Public School Boards’ Association said in a statement that the minister’s focus on benefiting students is “encouraging.”

“OPSBA also looks forward to engaging directly with the supervisors to help surface and share strong practices from school boards across the province—practices the Minister himself has acknowledged,” the statement reads.

These ministry-appointed supervisors have a goal of improving student outcomes.

Last year, the OCDSB unanimously approved its operating budget of $1.2 billion with a capital budget of $127.8 million. Included in the budgets is an increase of 91 full-time staff, further support for students with special education and areas for school renewal and condition improvements.