Province moves to address governance disputes and financial concerns affecting student outcomes
TORONTO — Ontario’s Ministry of Education has appointed supervisors to oversee two major school boards in the Greater Toronto Area, citing concerns over governance conflicts and long-term financial sustainability that could disrupt student learning.
Education Minister Paul Calandra announced the appointments Thursday, placing the Peel District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board under enhanced provincial oversight.
The move comes as the provincial government seeks to strengthen accountability in Ontario’s publicly funded education system and ensure school board spending remains focused on improving student outcomes.
“After careful review, it is clear that both Peel and York Catholic are facing serious challenges that they cannot resolve on their own,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “I have appointed supervisors to restore sound management, strengthen oversight and ensure every decision is focused on protecting student learning and success.”
Supervisors appointed to stabilize governance and finances
The province has appointed two experienced advisors to take on the supervisory roles.
Heather Watt will serve as supervisor at the Peel District School Board. Watt is a management consultant with more than two decades of leadership experience across both the public and private sectors. Her background includes crisis consulting and strategic advisory work in industries such as government, life sciences, health insurance, consumer products, industrials and private equity.
Carrie Kormos has been appointed supervisor at the York Catholic District School Board. Kormos brings more than 30 years of experience advising executive teams and boards across Canada in sectors including government, gaming, hospitality and tourism.
Kormos has previously advised provincial ministers and premiers and served as chief marketing and communications officer at one of Canada’s largest hospitality companies. She currently sits as a director with Invest Ontario and the Canadian Gaming Association.
Under provincial supervision, the appointed supervisors assume the powers of the school board trustees and are tasked with restoring stability to governance and financial operations.
Both Watt and Kormos will report regularly to the Ministry of Education as they work to stabilize financial conditions, introduce efficiency measures and strengthen operational performance within their respective boards.
Earlier provincial intervention
The province had already taken preliminary steps earlier this year to address concerns at the Peel board.
In January, the Ministry of Education placed the Peel District School Board under provisional supervision. The measure was intended to prevent a mid-year staffing change that officials said could have created uncertainty for parents, students and educators.
At the same time, the ministry notified the York Catholic District School Board that it was reviewing governance concerns that officials believed could affect matters of public interest. The government signaled at that point that full supervision of the board was under consideration.
The latest appointments formalize the province’s intervention in both cases.
Broader push for accountability in education
Ontario officials say the move reflects a broader effort to strengthen financial oversight and governance standards across the province’s school boards.
According to the Ministry of Education, eight school boards in Ontario are currently under provincial supervision due to governance or financial management concerns. The government says the oversight measures are intended to maintain public confidence in the education system and ensure public funding is directed toward student success.
The province has also recently expanded the authority of the education minister to intervene when boards encounter governance or financial difficulties.
In November 2025, Ontario passed the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025, which amended the Education Act to broaden and streamline the minister’s oversight powers.
The changes allow the ministry greater authority over school board finances, governance practices and program performance.
Provincial officials say these measures are intended to ensure education funding is used effectively and that school boards remain focused on equipping students with practical skills for future employment.
For the two boards now under supervision, the immediate priority will be restoring stable governance and addressing financial challenges while maintaining continuity for students, staff and families.