Randall Denley: Ontario’s School Boards Have Spiraled Out of Control
Ontario’s New Education Minister Appointed: Paul Calandra
is looking to address perceived financial ineptitude
At some of Ontario’s biggest school districts, this issue indeed stands out. However, the solutions will provide only short-term relief unless the provincial government commits to making significant alterations in how these school boards operate.
The educational governance structure in Ontario is set up to falter. While trustees are appointed through elections, they do not bear the burden of funding the provincial schools via taxation. This fundamental disconnect from financial accountability can transform certain school boards into advocates for increased expenditures without justification. After all, why strive for greater efficiency when those who govern aren’t accountable for covering the costs?
Calandra has called for probes into the financial situations of Toronto’s English public and Catholic school boards as well as Ottawa’s English public board. The provincial investigators must submit their reports by May 30th.
The three educational boards are anticipating considerable financial shortfalls for the upcoming academic year. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) projects a deficit of $58 million, the Toronto Catholic District School Board anticipates being $65.9 million in debt, and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board faces an expected shortage of $20 million.
These school boards have been finding it difficult to manage their finances over several years, even though maintaining a balanced budget is mandated by the Education Act. They attribute this challenge to various factors such as insufficient funding for sick leave, grants that haven’t increased along with inflation rates, inadequate funds allocated for special education needs, and a provincial directive mandating the upkeep of under-used schools.
The major three boards aren’t the only ones facing shortfalls this academic year.
Thirty-one boards are reporting financial shortfalls within the same year.
totaling $200 million. In the year 2020-21, just 11 boards reported shortfalls.
The investigation reports ought to clarify matters regarding the three boards at hand. We need to determine whether these organizations lack sufficient funds to perform essential tasks or simply struggle with managing available resources effectively. Minister Calandra has stated his intention to provide financial assistance if necessary; however, this would serve as merely a temporary measure rather than addressing underlying issues.
Significant restructuring is necessary. Provincial governments collect the taxes while school boards handle the spending of these funds. Combining these roles would be essential for achieving transparency within the educational system.
Calendra faces three choices. One option is to eliminate school boards completely. In such cases, the province can assign a supervisor to handle fiscal matters whenever a board encounters monetary difficulties. Normalizing this practice instead of treating it as an unusual step might represent the most straightforward course of action; however, doing so comes with political drawbacks. Adopting this method would likely result in the government receiving sole responsibility for both actual and potential issues within the educational system.
The balanced approach involves establishing a council composed of knowledgeable locals with expertise in finance and administration. This setup might face criticism for being undemocratic; however, it would likely enhance efficiency. Such an arrangement would allow these bodies to concentrate on setting strategic directions, monitoring policies, and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Additionally, this move could address the issue of school trustees prioritizing social activism over fundamental educational goals and prudent budgeting.
The third option carries the highest level of risk. Instead of reducing trustees’ responsibilities, Calandra might consider giving them greater authority. Up until 1998, both the provincial government and school boards jointly bore the fiscal burden of education funding. The province generated revenue through various taxation methods, whereas school boards managed their own educational property tax under trustee control. This local levy typically financed around 40 percent of schooling expenses. While this arrangement provided trustees with significant financial clout, it also held them accountable to local taxpayers.
The education property tax remains in place, though it is now collected by the provincial government, generating approximately $5.9 billion annually. For perspective, overall school expenditures amount to roughly $29 billion. Instead of this arrangement, why not entrust elected trustees with managing those $5.9 billion and boosting them should local constituents approve additional funding?
Each community holds its own views on what their students need, yet the provincial budget does not account for this diversity. For instance, the TDSB feels that its students require
require 66 swimming pools
an expenditure that the province does not cover.
If Toronto taxpayers believe the swimming pool program is crucial, why shouldn’t they be responsible for covering its costs? After all, the provincial government does not dictate to local governments their taxation and spending limits.
This method could provide a valuable democratic outlet, yet the concern lies with the trustees themselves. Certain Ontario school boards are plagued by individuals primarily focused on
Anti-colonial movements, the Palestinian struggle, along with concerns about climate, gender, and racial matters.
; pretty much everything aside from their actual job.
When school boards were truly accountable for finances, they drew in competent individuals with pertinent expertise. Assigning trustees significant tasks might bring this about once more. The shift could occur by the 2026 municipal election, serving as a fresh start for the system. This could provide the reboot the structure requires.
The alternative is constant arguments over finances that divert attention from the numerous other issues facing public education.
National Post
randalldenley1@gmail.com
Receive deeper insights into Canadian politics from The National Post through the Political Hack newsletter, featuring content from Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kandola.
Kheiriddin
Catch exclusive insights into what’s truly happening behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, available only to our subscribers.
Sign up here
.