Ontario Minister Demands Action from Troubled School Board

Ontario’s Education Minister, Paul Calandra, has ordered the Near North District School Board to take immediate corrective actions to address significant dysfunction within its governance. This intervention follows a report highlighting severe management issues, including a lack of effective leadership and strained relationships among board members. Calandra warned that failure to comply could lead to further government action.

The report, submitted by senior ministry bureaucrat Rachel Osborne, was prompted by escalating concerns from parents and media outlets regarding the board’s operations. It revealed a substantial “deficit of leadership” from the director of education, Craig Myles, and noted a fractured relationship between the administration and the trustees. The findings suggest that the board is divided and that many trustees lack the requisite experience for effective governance.

Osborne noted, “Given the divided and dysfunctional nature of the board, the absence of leadership from the director and the deep community distrust of the school board, I believe ministry intervention is warranted.” Calandra’s directives, which require immediate compliance, aim to restore effective governance and rebuild trust within the community.

Among the mandates, the board must implement a professional development plan for its members and engage an external expert to conduct a performance review of Myles. The report revealed that Myles had participated in discussions regarding his own performance rating, raising ethical concerns. His salary, which started at $171,000 in 2020, had escalated to $303,800 by January 2024.

Additionally, Myles is required to relocate his office to the board’s main facility rather than a remote school site three kilometers away. Notably, Osborne’s report highlighted instances where a family member used Myles’ corporate credit card for personal expenses, a situation he claimed he would reimburse.

Calandra emphasized the urgency of these reforms, stating, “I expect the board to act immediately, without delay or excuse, to correct these failures and put students first. If they do not, I will not hesitate to take further action to ensure accountability and restore stability.” The board has not publicly commented on the situation, and Myles did not respond to requests for his perspective.

The dysfunction at the Near North District School Board has been exacerbated by the resignation of three trustees this year. The report suggested that bringing in new members could help mitigate ongoing issues. Many current trustees reportedly lack prior experience, contributing to governance challenges.

Osborne’s investigation also pointed to the conduct of some trustees as problematic, describing them as “bad actors” who acted contrary to the interests of the board. The report indicated that these factors have contributed to delays in the opening of a new school in Parry Sound, a matter that has frustrated parents and students alike.

Despite planning for over a decade to close two elementary schools and the Parry Sound High School to facilitate the construction of a new JK-12 institution, the board informed parents just weeks before the academic year that the school’s opening would not occur as scheduled. Students at Parry Sound High School were informed one week before the start of classes that they would begin the year virtually, as the building was deemed unfit for occupancy, with in-person classes only resuming on September 15.

The challenges faced by the Near North District School Board highlight the critical need for effective governance in educational institutions. As Calandra and the Ministry of Education pursue accountability, the community awaits the board’s response to these directives and the potential for improved oversight and leadership.

This report was initially published on October 31, 2025, by The Canadian Press.