Toronto, ON — Ontario’s Minister of Education Paul Calandra has directed the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) to take immediate corrective action following a damning report that found severe dysfunction, leadership failures, and fractured governance within the board. The minister warned that if the board fails to act promptly, the province will intervene directly.
Calandra’s warning follows the release of a Ministry of Education review, which identified a “deficit of leadership” at the administrative level and deep divisions among trustees. The minister made it clear that the province will not hesitate to take “further action” if necessary — including the possibility of placing the board under government supervision.
“Parents and students deserve stability, accountability, and a functioning school board,” said Calandra. “The findings of this report are deeply concerning. The dysfunction that has taken root at Near North must be resolved immediately. If the board fails to do so, I will not hesitate to act.”
Findings of the Ministry Review
The review — commissioned earlier this year after media reports and parent complaints — was conducted by a senior Ministry of Education official. It found:
- A serious leadership deficit from the Director of Education;
- Toxic divisions between trustees, with several lacking the knowledge or experience required for good governance;
- A breakdown in trust and communication between the board’s administration and its elected officials; and
- Operational dysfunction that contributed to the long-delayed opening of a new school in Parry Sound, which has frustrated parents and disrupted students’ learning.
The report concluded that the overall culture of the NNDSB was “dysfunctional to the point of paralysis,” hindering the board’s ability to meet its educational obligations and serve the community effectively.
Provincial Oversight and Broader Reform
This latest development follows Calandra’s recent decision to place five other Ontario school boards under provincial supervision due to governance concerns. The minister has also indicated that the government is reviewing the role of elected trustees, with potential reforms on the table to modernize governance and improve accountability across Ontario’s education system.
“We have a responsibility to ensure every student in Ontario receives a high-quality education in a stable and supportive environment,” Calandra said. “When governance fails, the province will act decisively to protect students’ interests.”
The Near North District School Board, when contacted, declined to comment on the minister’s directive.
Next Steps
Minister Calandra has ordered the NNDSB to provide the ministry with an action plan outlining specific measures to address the issues raised in the report. The ministry will monitor compliance closely, with the possibility of further intervention if satisfactory progress is not made.
The government has not ruled out the appointment of a provincial supervisor or other structural reforms should the dysfunction persist.