By Mickey Conlon
TORONTO — The Toronto and Dufferin-Peel Catholic school boards are among four school districts that are now under Ontario government supervision over financial mismanagement concerns.
Along with the Toronto and Ottawa-Carleton public boards, on June 27, the last day of the current school year, Minister of Education Paul Calandra announced the province would appoint the supervisors to oversee the school districts following an investigation that revealed “instances of mismanagement and poor decision-making that put its long-term financial health at risk,” Calandra said in a news release.
Calandra cited clause 257.31 (2) of the Education Act to assume control of the school boards. The decision came after an investigation by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP whose subsequent report delivered to the province on June 11 recommended supervision.
“Each of these boards has failed in its responsibilities to parents and students by losing sight of its core mission — ensuring student success,” Calandra said.
“We’re strengthening oversight and accountability so that parents can have the confidence that every dollar is spent responsibly to directly benefit students. I have made it clear that if a school board veers off its mandate, I will take action to restore focus, rebuild trust and put students first.”
The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) “is at risk of default in the coming years” after tripling its deficit over the past year, while the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) is “at the brink of bankruptcy,” the education minister said.
All powers of trustees are vested with the supervisor, save for “denominational matters.”
Calandra has only been education minister since March but has taken numerous steps to rein in school boards’ alleged financial mismanagement. A month into his new role, he had already launched investigations into spending at the Toronto and Ottawa boards, adding Dufferin-Peel in early June. He has also appointed a supervisor for the Thames Valley school board in London over alleged misspending, which included a staff retreat to Toronto that cost around $40,000. The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic board was also ordered to repay the cost of a trip to Italy by four trustees, who purchased art for schools worth $100,000.
The TCDSB acknowledged the province’s move by releasing a statement on its website, saying the powers of trustees will be vested in Frank Benedetto, who was appointed the board’s supervisor.
“The TCDSB remains committed to working in partnership with the ministry and the appointed supervisor, Mr. Frank Benedetto, to strengthen our financial position while continuing to prioritize student success and classroom supports,” the TCDSB statement said. “As this process unfolds, our focus will remain on what matters most: supporting student success. Families can be assured that the director of education and the senior leadership team will work closely with the supervisor to minimize any impact on students and classroom learning.”
The Dufferin-Peel board referred all media inquiries to the Ministry of Education.
Benedetto has 25 years’ experience in litigation, strategic oversight and risk management and is a managing partner with Flaherty McCarthy LLP, and is past president of the Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Toronto.
Rick Byers will oversee the Dufferin-Peel board. A former MPP and parliamentary assistant to the minister of finance and president of the treasury board, Byers has been an auditor and chartered accountant.
