Toronto school board trustees won't be sworn in right after election, province delays

Newly elected trustees at the Toronto District School Board and four other supervised GTA school boards won't be sworn in on schedule after the October 26 municipal election. Instead, their first meeting — and the moment they assume office — will be decided by the Education Ministry or an appointed supervisor, with no timeline given.

Under the proposed regulatory change, trustees would replace outgoing trustees but wouldn't assume governance responsibilities while the boards remain under provincial supervision. The exception: Catholic school board trustees would still exercise duties for denominational matters.

The Ford government has placed five GTA school boards under supervision, citing financial mismanagement, unsustainable deficits, and failure to implement cost-saving measures. Currently, newly elected trustees hold their first meeting shortly after their term begins and complete their declaration of office at that meeting.

Marit Stiles, Ontario NDP leader, said the move undermines democracy: "What it says to the people of Ontario is we don't care how you vote, we don't care what you think, we're just going to do whatever we want to do, anyways."

Sara Blumenstein, a parent administrator for the Toronto Education Advocacy Network, called the change "very concerning." She said the existing rule—requiring the first meeting within seven days and swearing-in at that meeting—is "basic" and shouldn't change simply because supervision is in place. "It is telling me that as a voter, my vote doesn't count," she said.