The Ontario government has appointed Paul Boniferro to supervise all financial and operational decisions of the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) to help the board improve its financial position and ensure students are able to acquire the skills they need to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Mr. Boniferro will represent the ministry's vested control, overseeing and managing the administration of the board.
"Our government will be relentless in holding school boards accountable while ensuring students, parents and teachers have the resources they need for the best student achievement," said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. "The Thames Valley board's decision to send senior officials to a luxury retreat amid a multi-million-dollar deficit was unacceptable. We are taking over their operations to ensure proper management and accountability."
Mr. Boniferro is a seasoned executive with extensive expertise in transparent and responsible governance and the stewardship of public resources, making him an outstanding candidate for this role. He is an experienced labour and employment lawyer and has held prominent positions such as Deputy Attorney General of Ontario and Transition Supervisory Officer at the Ontario College of Teachers.
Mr. Boniferro was appointed following the recommendation from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's investigation that control over the board's finances and operations was warranted. This investigation was initiated in response to reports of a three-day retreat by the TVDSB in downtown Toronto in August 2024, where senior board officials used board funds to stay at the former SkyDome hotel. The board has been running a significant deficit for a number of years, making this expenditure more concerning.
During his tenure, Mr. Boniferro will provide the ministry with regular updates on his work. He will focus on addressing the deteriorating financial position by implementing savings measures and improving operational efficiencies.
This initiative is part of the government's plan to protect Ontario with a back-to-basics approach that prepares students and our workforce for whatever comes our way. This includes the province's ongoing efforts to enhance accountability and uphold trust in the province's publicly funded education system, including promoting school board accountability and transparency in the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023.
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