Province appoints oversight at Thames Valley District School Board due to ‘financial mismanagement’

In the wake of several high profile resignations, the Ontario Government is appointing a supervisor to oversee the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB).

The board was identified among several ‘school boards of particular concern’ in regards to ‘financial mismanagement.’

“Our government will be relentless in ensuring school boards stay focused on what matters most: equipping students with the tools they need to succeed,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “School boards must remain accountable and use public funds to directly benefit students and provide teachers and educators with the resources they need in the classroom.”

The government is also launching financial investigations at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board and the Toronto District School Board.

“We all have an interest in making sure the funding goes where it is supposed to go. So, we welcome that part of it,” said OSSFT District 11 President John Bernans. “But, I do think if we got back to school board control sooner rather than later, that would be better... and if this government properly funded education we wouldn’t have so many school boards in deficits.”

According to a release from the province on Wednesday, reports indicated that the boards demonstrated ‘extremely poor judgement... in the use of public funds.’

The TVDSB has been in the hot seat since September following a wave of controversy regarding a leadership retreat in Toronto, which cost the school board nearly $40,000 - an upsetting figure in the face of a $1.9 million deficit for 2024-25.

“We have been clear: Transparency and accountability from Ontario school boards is mandatory,” said Minister Calandra. “Further actions will be taken if the situation at these school boards does not improve. As the new Minister of Education, I will be looking at every avenue to bring more transparency, consistency and accountability to all school boards across the province.”

When asked for comment, the Thames Valley District School Board asked that all inquiries be directed to the Ministry of Education.