Ontario Premier Doug Ford has appointed supervisors to oversee five provincial school boards, including the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the Toronto Catholic District School Board, and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. This decision comes as part of the Progressive Conservative government's initiative to refocus education on classroom needs. The remaining school boards have been warned to improve their operations or face similar oversight.

The move follows reports of significant wasteful spending and safety concerns regarding student activities. For instance, the Thames Valley District School Board faced criticism after its administrators attended a retreat at a luxury hotel while the board struggled financially. Additionally, trustees from the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board took a $45,000 trip to Italy and spent over $100,000 on religious art and a large crucifix.

The TDSB has also been at the center of controversy due to a planned field trip in September 2024 that involved a protest with connections to Palestinian solidarity. A government report indicated that while students were not compelled to participate in the protest, the TDSB did not adhere to its own safety policies. The report noted that the emotional safety of some Jewish students was compromised during the incident.

Local officials in Toronto have expressed dissatisfaction with the provincial government's intervention in education, fearing it may lead to the dismissal of school trustees in the city and across Ontario. Education Minister Paul Calandra has not ruled out this possibility. He stated, "If it looks like we can deliver the product better, provide better outcomes for students, better resources for teachers and give parents certainty, and if that means eliminating trustees, then I’m going to do it."

The role of a trustee in Toronto has often been seen as a stepping stone to a political career, with low voter turnout and limited competition for these positions. Many trustees hold left-leaning views, but some do not align with the provincial Liberal or NDP agendas.

Katrina Matheson, a parent organizer with the Toronto Schools Caregiver Coalition, expressed her mixed feelings about the board's operations. She noted that while some trustees are dedicated, decisions made by TDSB staff often disregard the concerns of students and parents. "TDSB staff seem to make decisions, like transferring a popular principal or recommending increasing special education class sizes, without regard for the overwhelming opposition from students and parents," she said.

This disconnect has led to frustrations among parents, including those who typically lean left politically. Matheson indicated that many parents in her coalition have ambivalent feelings about the provincial takeover, highlighting a growing rift between the TDSB and the community.

The situation reflects a broader dysfunction within Toronto's school boards, indicating a pressing need for change in how they operate and engage with students and parents.