The Ontario government is moving to tighten accountability in the province’s publicly funded education system by requiring every school board to establish a Student and Family Support Office, a new mechanism aimed at resolving parent concerns more quickly and consistently. The province announced the initiative Thursday, positioning it as part of its ongoing push to modernize school board governance and reinforce a “back-to-basics” approach focused on student achievement.
Unveiled in a Ministry of Education news release, the new offices are intended to give parents, guardians and students a direct point of contact when they require help navigating disputes, unanswered questions or broader community issues that have not been resolved at the school level. The government framed the move as an effort to rebuild public trust and ensure families can rely on clearer pathways to information and support.
“Better access for parents means better outcomes for students,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “Student and Family Support Offices will give families clear answers and timely solutions when it comes to their child’s education. We’re going to continue overhauling an outdated school board governance model so that more resources go into classrooms, teachers have better support and students have the best chance to succeed.”
Under the plan, Student and Family Support Offices will open in January 2026 at each of the five boards currently under provincial supervision: the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Thames Valley District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board and Toronto District School Board. Supervisors were appointed at these boards in recent years in response to governance challenges, deficits, depleted reserves or ongoing cases of mismanagement.
The Ministry said further details on how the new offices will operate at these five boards will be posted on their websites by Jan. 19, 2026. All other school boards will be required to submit implementation reports by March 31, 2026, outlining how they plan to establish their offices by Sept. 1, 2026. Each office will be led by a supervisory officer.
The government says the new model will streamline the feedback and inquiry process by committing to acknowledge concerns within two business days and aiming to provide a response within five business days. By creating a dedicated body for escalated issues—after initial discussions with teachers and principals—officials say the system will become more accessible and responsive for families. The Ministry emphasized that the offices are meant to help direct existing resources more efficiently so students and parents can get timely guidance on navigating the education system.
The move comes as part of a broader package of reforms the province has advanced in the past two years, including legislation designed to reinforce oversight of board finances, governance and program performance. Among the measures currently before the legislature is Bill 33, the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025. If passed, it would give the Minister of Education expanded authority to intervene swiftly in matters deemed to be in the public interest.
The province has argued that stronger governance is essential to restoring stability in school operations and ensuring taxpayer dollars are directed toward improving student outcomes. The introduction of the new support offices aligns with the government’s repeated emphasis on core learning skills—particularly literacy, numeracy and foundational competencies—as part of its “back-to-basics” philosophy.
The rollout also coincides with a record-level education investment. For the 2025–26 school year, Ontario has allocated $30.3 billion in Core Education Funding, which includes targeted spending on reading, writing and math, expanded mental health supports, and additional resources for students with special education needs. While critics have questioned whether funding increases keep pace with inflation and enrolment pressures, the government maintains that the current levels represent historic commitments to student learning.
The establishment of the new offices is expected to be closely watched by school board officials, educators and parent groups, many of whom have raised concerns about communication gaps, unresolved disputes and a lack of clarity around escalation processes. By centralizing the mechanism for dealing with complex or contentious issues, the government aims to eliminate what it describes as an inconsistent experience for families across the province.
According to the Ministry, the new approach is designed not only to improve service but also to reinforce accountability across Ontario’s 72 school boards. The government says the offices represent one more step in a long-term effort to modernize the structure of public education, boost transparency and ensure boards are meeting their responsibilities to students and communities.
As boards prepare for the 2026 implementation deadlines, the province has indicated that further information and guidance will be provided over the coming months. For now, officials say the new offices will help deliver a more accessible, responsive and trusted education system for Ontario families.