The Ontario government has placed another school board under provincial supervision, citing governance and financial concerns.
Paul Calandra announced that the province has appointed a supervisor to oversee the York Catholic District School Board after determining the board could not resolve its internal challenges.
The move makes York Catholic the eighth school board in Ontario to be placed under provincial supervision.
Calandra had warned the board in late January that it would face intervention if it failed to address major concerns within two weeks. The minister said the board’s response was insufficient, prompting the decision to appoint a supervisor who will assume decision-making authority from elected trustees.
The minister cited several issues behind the intervention, including depleted financial reserves and the board’s refusal to submit what he called a “realistic financial recovery plan.” He also pointed to leadership instability, noting that the board has had seven directors of education in the past nine years.
At the same time, the province also confirmed it is appointing a supervisor at the Peel District School Board, which had been placed under provisional supervision earlier this year. The appointment signals a longer-term provincial takeover of the board’s operations.
Critics of the government’s actions argue that repeated provincial takeovers undermine local democratic governance by sidelining elected trustees.
Opponents also say many school boards across the province are struggling financially because provincial education funding has not kept pace with rising costs and inflation.
The provincial government maintains that the interventions are necessary to restore accountability, improve financial oversight and ensure that decisions remain focused on supporting student learning and success.