Ontario's Education Minister Paul Calandra has announced he will take over the Near North District School Board due to ongoing dysfunction. This decision comes after the passage of new education legislation, Bill 33, which grants him expanded powers to intervene in school board operations.

In a statement released Monday, Calandra emphasized the importance of student achievement, saying, "I will not stand by while a board’s incompetence directly impacts student achievement." He will oversee the North Bay-based board until a provincial supervisor is appointed.

Calandra's actions are a response to a ministry investigation that revealed significant issues within the board, including failures in leadership and governance. The minister noted that the board did not comply with 10 directives issued to them, which led to the decision to place it under supervision.

The government expedited the passage of Bill 33, known as the Supporting Children and Students Act, on November 22. This legislation allows the minister to appoint a provincial overseer and take control of school boards facing serious mismanagement. Critics have labeled this move a power grab, arguing it does not address underlying issues such as funding and staffing shortages in schools.

The Near North District School Board has faced criticism for its handling of a new kindergarten to Grade 12 school in Parry Sound. Parents were informed at the last minute that the school would not open as scheduled in September, resulting in elementary students being relocated and high school students learning online for two weeks before moving to a partially demolished facility.

The ministry's report highlighted a lack of effective leadership from both the board's trustees and the director of education. The director was described as operating "in the shadows" from a closed school three kilometers away from the board's headquarters. The investigation found that trustees were poorly informed about their roles and responsibilities, showing little interest in improving their knowledge. The report stated that the director had not demonstrated the necessary leadership qualities, leading to a loss of community confidence in the board.

Calandra's directives include hiring external experts to conduct a performance appraisal of the director, planning professional development for trustees, and holding monthly open meetings to keep families updated on the situation regarding the Parry Sound school. He also mandated the director to work from the North Bay headquarters and participate in professional development.

The board has stated it will address the issues raised, but it remains unclear which directives it failed to comply with. Bill 33 not only enhances the minister's control over school boards but also allows for police presence in schools and enables intervention in cases of serious mismanagement beyond just financial issues.

This situation follows previous instances where the province intervened in other school boards, including those in Toronto and Dufferin-Peel, due to financial mismanagement. The story is still developing as further actions are anticipated from the ministry and the board.