Ontario’s Education Minister Paul Calandra has signalled that a final determination on a potential provincial takeover of the Near North District School Board is forthcoming “very soon.” The minister acknowledged the unified call to action from Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli, who are jointly urging the appointment of a supervisor to assume control of the board. He says he has also heard from frustrated and angry parents and community members across North Bay and Parry Sound who are demanding significant change. “I’ll make an announcement very soon,” he said to reporters at Queen’s Park on Wednesday. “I don’t intend on letting this go much longer.” The province recently equipped the education minister with sweeping new powers to intervene in school boards through the controversial Bill 33. Dysfunction, deficits prompt provincial intervention Calandra’s consideration of intervention follows a scorching 33-page Ministry of Education review that uncovered profound “dysfunction,” a lack of communication and an absence of leadership from the board’s Director of Education Craig Myles. These failures contributed to the delayed construction and opening of the $58 million JK-Grade 12 super school in Parry Sound. The report described a board in crisis, incapable of effectively managing the problem or communicating with parents. It also highlighted badly mishandled communications with the community when it became clear the school would not be ready for the September return to classes. “Focus on when you have to focus on or we’ll step in full stop,” Calandra said, emphasizing the new provincial stance. “It’s not just about the boards that are running deficits. It’s about those that aren’t working in the best interests of students and teachers.” In Near North’s case, the ministry issued 15 binding directives to the board with specific deadlines, one of which required an in-person meeting with the Parry Sound community within 10 days. The board scheduled but then cancelled that meeting to hold its own re-organizational meeting, resulting in a failure to comply. ‘Christmas miracle’ needed to avert takeover Despite the recent election of a new board chair, Jay Aspin, who succeeded Ashley St. Pierre, Calandra expressed deep skepticism that the board can rectify its issues. Aspin told CTV News that the board remains “keenly focused on implementing Minister Calandra’s binding directions.” However, Calandra conveyed significant doubt that these changes would alter his course. “It’s close to Christmas. So, who knows, maybe some form of a miracle (is needed). But I don’t see it,” he said. “I know there’s a new chair of the board there. There are so many issues with that board. I think it’d be very, very hard pressed to get me to move on the path that I’m considering.” Community seeks exit and board prepares for update The ongoing turmoil has prompted the Parry Sound Town Council to pass a motion formally requesting that Calandra allow the town to leave the Near North District School Board. The council seeks to either create its own school board for more local representation or join another nearby board in Simcoe or Muskoka. As the situation develops, representatives from the school board are scheduled to travel to Parry Sound to meet with the town council next Thursday. It is anticipated the board will present an update on the construction progress of the beleaguered super school. RELATED STORIES:
