Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka, says he wants the government to take control of the Near North District School Board.
The North Bay, Ont. based board has been under fire since August, when it announced a new JK-Grade 12 high school wouldn’t be open in September, angering parents and forcing some students into online learning to start the school year.
The province ordered a review of the board’s operations and discovered a dysfunctional operation with a director of education who worked alone away from the board office, and inexperienced trustees who didn’t understand their role — with some of them opposed to the new school and spreading disinformation.
In the wake of the controversy, the province has passed Bill 33, which, among other things, gives it the power to take control of school boards.
On Monday, Smith called on Education Minister Paul Calandra to step in and take control of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB).
“The NNDSB has become increasingly dysfunctional and appears unable to effectively manage its responsibilities,” Smith said in a statement.
“Its continued inability to follow directives from the Ministry of Education, along with its lack of effort to address the legitimate concerns of parents and students in Parry Sound, is deeply troubling,” Smith added.
“Today, I am urging the Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, to appoint a supervisor as quickly as possible to take control of the Near North District School Board.”
He received support Tuesday from Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli.
“For too long, the Near North District School Board has failed to meet its responsibilities, disregarded clear direction from the Ministry of Education, and left families without answers or accountability,” Fedeli said in a statement to CTV News.
“That’s why, together with MPP Smith, we are calling on the Minister of Education to appoint a supervisor to take control of the board and restore accountability, stability and trust for students and parents.”
Board chair Jay Aspin said they are committed to following directives issued following the review.
Mayor wants to separate from the board
“Our board is keenly focused on implementing Minister Calandra’s binding directions and are now completing arrangements to present an in-person update to the Parry Sound council next week,” Aspin said in a statement.
But Parry Sound Mayor Jamie McGarvey said the community has had enough and wants either to have its own school board or to join one in Simcoe or Muskoka.
“We don’t feel we’re being listened to,” McGarvey told CTV News on Tuesday.
“This has just come to a head, and I don’t think you could find a person right now that is anywhere near happy. In fact, there’s more anger than anything else.”
“We are serious. We need to be listened to,” he added.
“I would have to go back to almost Day 1 when the province decided to put Parry Sound District in with the North Bay area. We felt like the child under the staircase.”
For his part, Smith said mismanagement at the NNDSB is one of the reasons why Bill 33 was needed.
“Our government has taken action to ensure the Minister of Education has the necessary tools to respond to unacceptable breakdowns in school board governance,” he said.
“Furthermore, I believe it is important that those responsible for the current situation in Parry Sound be held accountable, including removal from their roles where appropriate and justified.”
