l-r Former Mayor Barbara Hall, Briony Glassco, Patrick Case, Shirley Hoy, Vicki Bismilla, Richard Powers and Jennifer Williams
There are lots of complaints about the Toronto and District School Board. Some people think it should be abolished. Premier Wynne has decided to get the view of seven prominent Toronto citizens, all of whom are acquainted with the board in some fashion. It is a purely advisory group and the premier may be sure she has a like-minded thinker in former Mayor Barbara Hall who will chair the panel. What’s heartening is that these people aren’t going to lurk around for years. They’re expected to come back with an opinion by summer. Education Minister Sandals announced the panel Monday after a year or more of bickering and complaints at the board. Her emphasis is on what’s wrong with the board but in fairness the cash-strapped government of Ontario has a dog in this fight. It’s called the enormous value of surplus school board property. The panel will be tasked with asking questions about the size of the board, the efficiencies within the board and the “culture of fear” among board members. It’s perhaps relevant to note that however much fear was in the air at the board it didn’t stop many people from complaining. To learn about the background of the members check the Education Department Release
