Ontario Considers Major Overhaul of School Board Trustee Roles

The future of school board trustees in Ontario is under scrutiny following comments from Education Minister Paul Calandra, who suggested the potential elimination of these positions. This development has raised concerns among trustees and education advocates about the loss of local representation in the education system.

During a recent interview with CBC Radio’s Metro Morning, Calandra emphasized the need for stability in the education sector, stating, “I think everybody deserves some certainty.” His remarks prompted immediate reactions, particularly from the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Chair Renee Kraft proposed a motion urging the board to formally express its concerns over the minister’s statements and to highlight the essential role trustees play in representing community voices.

The motion was eventually withdrawn to allow for further discussion among trustees. Kraft noted, “Since the motion was originally written, information from the minister of education has evolved and there was a need to revise the focus of the proposed letter accordingly.” The board aims to ensure all trustees have input before finalizing their response.

Concerns echo through the Waterloo Region District School Board as well. Chair Maedith Radlein remarked, “All trustees, as elected representatives, should be concerned about the elimination of their position.” Trustee Scott Piatkowski articulated his fears in an op-ed for The Walrus, arguing that removing trustees would transform the school system into “a machine with no one left to answer to the people it serves.”

The concept of school board trustees is deeply rooted in Ontario’s educational history, dating back to the 1800s. Over the years, the number of boards has been significantly reduced, with a consolidation in 1968 that decreased the number from over 3,700 to 230. Further reforms under former Premier Mike Harris in the 1990s led to the establishment of a centralized funding system and the reduction of trustee positions, limiting their power and responsibilities.

Despite ongoing controversies, professors emphasize the importance of school boards in the educational landscape. Kristina Llewellyn, a history professor at McMaster University, pointed out, “Like democracy itself, school boards can be messy governing bodies, but they are still a critical part of our education system.” She argues that eliminating trustees could diminish parental engagement in education, contradicting the government’s stated intentions to enhance parental voices.

The provincial government’s plans have drawn comparisons to similar reforms in other regions. In New Brunswick, the removal of elected school boards in 1997 faced immense public backlash, leading to their reinstatement just four years later. Similarly, Nova Scotia and Quebec have experienced challenges following the elimination of school board positions, raising questions about the effectiveness of alternative governance structures.

Calandra’s push for a review of the education system aims to redirect funding directly to classrooms, but experts caution against oversimplifying financial issues. Kelly Gallagher-Mackay, an associate professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, criticized the notion that trustee malpractice is the primary cause of financial problems, stating, “People like a cynical explanation, so it’s easy to point to corruption than challenges that are really hard to solve.”

Piatkowski highlighted that education funding in Ontario has decreased by $776 per student since 2018, while boards face difficulties filling support roles and managing rising costs. Gallagher-Mackay noted, “It’s a big concern that we could lose a level of government that is concerned with children’s needs and priorities.”

As Paul Calandra prepares to unveil a governance review, questions arise about the rationale behind potentially eliminating trustees. Political science professor emeritus Bob Williams poses critical inquiries regarding the underlying issues the government seeks to address. He argues that the existence of trustees is essential for local decision-making in education, stating, “From a good policy perspective, a good question to ask here is, ‘What problem are you trying to solve?’”

Williams cautions against a hasty decision to eliminate trustees, emphasizing that such a move may not address concerns about mismanagement or community engagement. “Trustees approve budgets; they are not responsible for developing budgets — that is done by staff and management,” he explained.

As discussions unfold, the future of school board trustees in Ontario remains uncertain. The province faces a pivotal moment in determining whether to reform the existing governance framework or to pursue an entirely new model. Calandra has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the specifics of his review or potential replacements for the trustee system, leaving many stakeholders anxious about the implications for local education governance.