MPP SMITH SUPPORTS EDUCATION MINISTER’S TAKEOVER OF NEAR NORTH SCHOOL BOARD AFTER NEW SUPER PARRY SOUND SCHOOL DELAYED THIS FALL

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Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — The deepening controversy over a construction-delayed new school in Parry Sound has MPP Graydon Smith supporting a provincial plan to take control of the Near North District School board.

“I welcome the decision by the Minister of Education, Paul Calandra, to take control of the Near North District School Board, and I thank the minister for taking decisive action,” the associate housing minister said in a release this afternoon.

“I’m hopeful this intervention will bring the stability and accountability needed to refocus the board on what matters most: supporting students, respecting parents, and backing the dedicated teachers and staff who serve families across West Parry Sound.”

Vic Fedeli, the deputy premier, North Bay MPP and Minister of Economic Development and Smith had recently been calling for the province to step in.

Green Party deputy leader Matt Richter has also voiced criticism over the board’s actions and the province’s response to it.

The unusual move — one in growing number of education interventions by this Tory government — follows outcry by residents in the west part of the Parry Sound-Muskoka riding.

Calandra said in a release today: “I will not stand by while a board’s incompetence directly impacts student achievement.”

The minister said he is in charge of the North Bay-based board until a provincial supervisor is appointed.

“This decisive action should serve as a warning to any board that is failing in its responsibility to put students first. We are putting school boards on notice that I now have the authority to quickly assume control where there is clear mismanagement and ensure accountability on behalf of parents and teachers.”

The Near North District School Board was heavily criticized after Parry Sound area parents were informed at the last minute that a new kindergarten to Grade 12 school in Parry Sound would not open as promised in September, which resulted in elementary students being to an alternate location while teens had to learn online for two weeks, and then relocate to another school that was partially demolished.

The government said Monday that the board “failed to comply with 10 directions within the timelines set by the minister, which is why it was placed under supervision.”

A ministry report also questioned the leadership of NNDSB trustees and the director Craig Myles — who was described as leading “in the shadows” and working from an office in a shut-down school three kilometres away from board headquarters.

The ministry investigator found that while construction was the major reason the huge school did not open this fall, the report said trustees weren’t informed enough about their role and responsibilities and had little interest in learning more.

And that the director “has not demonstrated the visible and accountable leadership that is expected — and indeed required — of his position.”

And the community has lost confidence in the board.

It called for changes, which it said only

Calandra’s order were for the board to hire expert help to conduct a performance appraisal of the director, plan professional development for trustees, and hold monthly open meetings to keep families informed about progress on the Parry Sound school. He also wanted a “community engagement plan detailing measures that will be undertaken to restore public confidence.”

He also ordered the director of education to now work out of the North Bay headquarters and take some professional development.

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