Ottawa Catholic School Board trustees express concerns over Ontario education changes

Ottawa Catholic School Board head office on West Hunt Club Road in Ottawa. (Google Maps)

Trustees with the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) have issued an open letter to Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra to express concerns with what they call a “one-size-fits-all” approach to managing school boards.

Calandra announced sweeping changes to school board governance in the province last month, which would impose restrictions on the trustee honorarium and their discretionary spending, and change their responsibilities for the budget.

Bill 101, also known as the “Putting Student Achievement First Act,” also creates new chief executive officer and chief education officer roles at English-language school boards in Ontario, both public and Catholic, and reduces trustees’ roles in collective bargaining with education unions.

In a letter dated May 4 and released publicly on Wednesday, OCSB chair Mark D. Mullan, writing on behalf of all 10 trustees, said that there are “serious concerns” with the legislation.

“We believe these measures fail to account for the proven record of boards like the OCSB that already demonstrate exceptional results, financial discipline, and public accountability,” Mullan wrote.

“Our Trustees are recognized as provincial leaders who have consistently worked in a collaborative and effective partnership with the province to advance shared goals. We are concerned that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ legislative approach ignores this professional success and risks destabilizing the very systems that are already delivering the results the government seeks to secure.”

Calandra introduced Bill 101 as eight school boards in Ontario remain under provincial supervision, including the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). The province took control of the OCDSB last June after the board posted deficit budgets. The government removed the 12 elected trustees and appointed Robert Plamondon as supervisor.

The Catholic board, however, has not been placed under supervision. Mullan says the board has a consistent record of sound financial management, with the letter noting the board has passed four consecutive balanced budgets.

“The proposed authority to preclude a Catholic school board from using revenue for specified purposes is a matter of serious concern. OCSB has a proven record of fiscal excellence, with reserve use consistently remaining within the Ministry’s one per cent guideline. Expanded Ministerial powers are unnecessary in our context and would directly erode the local autonomy required to meet the unique needs of our communities.”

Mullan also raised issue with the plan to have the Council of Ontario Directors of Education take on the role of central employer bargaining agency, in place of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association (OCSTA).

“OCSTA represents the Catholic communities we serve and protects interests grounded in Section 93 of the Constitution Act, 1867. Shifting authority to a body not grounded in Catholic governance increases the risk of instability and ignores the constitutional authority of Catholic boards to govern education consistent with their faith,” he wrote.

Mullan said OCSB trustees urge the government to reconsider the scope of Bill 101.

“Any legislative change must be designed to support success, ensuring that local accountability and the constitutional distinctiveness of Catholic education are strengthened rather than diminished. Under the leadership of our Trustees and our senior team, we remain committed to protecting the integrity of our system and the families we serve,” the letter says.

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