A bill that gives the education minister expanded powers over rogue school boards is being fast-tracked through the legislature, with critics accusing the government of using it as a “distraction” from larger issues facing the system.

Education Minister Paul Calandra told reporters at Queen’s Park on Tuesday that “the ministry needs to have more authority to step into school boards that have gone off the rails — we have more than enough examples of that.”

Even if they manage to balance their budgets, as required, “if you’re not running your board appropriately, we’re going to step in and we’re going to put you right on track,” he warned.

Calandra, who introduced Bill 33 in May — in part given the public outcry over a controversial art-shopping trip to Italy taken by four Brantford

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