The Ontario government has announced the creation of new student and family support offices that will begin operating in January at five school boards currently under provincial supervision, including the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
New Support System for Families
According to a Thursday statement from the Ministry of Education, these offices will provide parents and guardians with a clear, effective way to address concerns about their children's education. The initiative aims to help families find solutions faster when dealing with complex educational issues that require escalation beyond school-level discussions.
The provincial government describes this move as part of its broader plan to make school boards more accountable and focused on student success. Education Minister Paul Calandra emphasized that the offices will give families clear answers and timely solutions regarding their children's education.
Trustee Role Under Scrutiny
Critics of the announcement see this as another step toward eliminating the role of elected school board trustees in Ontario. Currently, at the five school boards under provincial supervision, including OCDSB, the responsibilities of elected trustees have been suspended. Provincial-appointed supervisors now make all decisions that would normally fall to elected officials.
The concern stems from comments made by Education Minister Paul Calandra during an August interview with CBC. When asked if he would consider eliminating trustees entirely, Calandra responded: "If it looks like we can deliver the product better, provide better outcomes for students, better resources for teachers, and give parents certainty, and if that means eliminating trustees, then I'm going to do it."
Implementation Timeline and Requirements
The new student and family support offices are scheduled to open in January, with details to be available on the five supervised school boards' websites by January 16, 2024. Meanwhile, all other school boards in Ontario must submit reports by March 31, 2024, outlining how they will establish similar offices by September 1, 2026.
Minister Calandra stated that the government will continue overhauling what he called an "outdated school board governance model" to direct more resources into classrooms, provide better support for teachers, and improve student success rates.
Elected trustees traditionally serve important functions in Ontario's education system, including setting policy, overseeing budgets, and acting as liaisons between parents and schools. The future of these roles remains uncertain as the province moves forward with its education system reforms.
