Investments in Ontario’s education grow, as governance structure shrinks

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra speaks to CTV News London's Reta Ismail during a one-on-one interview.

The Ontario government says it is investing $1.6 billion in school construction projects aimed at easing overcrowding and supporting growing communities.

The province says the funding will help build new schools and expand existing ones as part of a long-term plan to modernize infrastructure and keep pace with population growth.

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack says the London region is set to receive a significant portion of that funding.

" Locally, our region is receiving $285 million to build seven new schools and expand to existing ones. These projects, across four local school boards, will support more than 5,000 students," said Flack.

The province says the broader program will create more than 29,000 new student spaces across Ontario.

At the same time, the government is moving ahead with legislative changes that would reduce school board oversight, even as new investments roll out.

Education Minister Paul Calandra says there are no immediate plans to reinstate trustees in eight boards currently under supervision, including the Thames Valley District School Board.

“I don’t see across any of the supervised boards where boards are ready to be, put back into the hands of trustees and away from supervisors. So, when that time comes, they will be, they will return, but not before. Even if it takes me one year or two years or 10 years, I’ll take the time that’s needed to put these, these boards back on track,” said Calandra.

In the meantime, Thames Valley District School Board Education Director Bill Tucker is encouraging families to raise concerns through existing channels.

“If you have concerns, go to your classroom teacher, your child’s teacher, go to the school principal and superintendent,” said Tucker.

Additional sweeping changes are also expected across Ontario’s education system, including altering the title and role of the director of education to that of a chief executive officer.

“We think it makes a very good model for ensuring that the board is run effectively, efficiently, and while at the same time focused on student achievement,” said Calandra.

Both the London District Catholic School Board and the Thames Valley District School Board are expected to be impacted by the changes.

“The biggest concern is obviously the denominational issues that we would have with our director and making sure we board has the ability to hire and fire the director of education, we are concerned that that part about the denominational rights won’t be upheld,” said Gabe Pizzuti, chair of the London District Catholic School Board.

Construction timelines for the new schools vary, with several projects already in the planning stages or underway.

CTV News London’s Reta Ismail sat down with Education Minister Paul Calandra. You can watch the full interview in the video above.