Education Minister Paul Calandra has no plans to relinquish the Ministry’s control over the Near North District School Board anytime soon.
Calandra spoke to reporters following the official opening of the Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School in Parry Sound on Sept. 15.
“My attitude on this hasn’t changed. We are seeing some extraordinary things happening in the Near North District School Board. We are sitting in a school right now that under the authority of the previous trustees, previous management was a school that was in chaos, and a community that was frustrated,” said Calandra. “Under the leadership of (Director of Education Jay) McJanet and the (Ministry appointed) supervisor things are moving in a very positive direction. I don’t see anytime soon us returning control of this board to local trustees.”
On Dec. 1, the government officially took control of the Near North Board after a ministry review confirmed deep-rooted dysfunction and mismanagement that Calandra said had eroded public confidence.
The review, which the Ministry said revealed significant failures in governance and leadership, came in response to major setbacks and delays in the opening of the new Parry Sound High School and Francis Pegahmagabow Elementary School.
Calandra says control of all eight of the school boards the province is currently supervising – including the Near North Board – will not be returning to trustees until a number of things are met… that includes deficits being erased, the boards needing a long-term financially stable position, and more.
“So no time soon. I won’t be rushed on this,” said Calandra. “If it takes four years, it will be four years. If it takes 10 years, it will take 10 years. Ultimately, the main responsibility is to make sure the students, parents and teachers have confidence in the system and that we can deliver for them.”
