Ministry of Education Changes – and What It Means for Our School Community

Ontario is introducing significant reforms to school board governance and classroom priorities. These changes would give the Ministry of Education greater authority over school boards, clarify the role of trustees as strategic governors rather than operational managers, and strengthen accountability for financial management and student outcomes. At the same time, the province is placing renewed emphasis on foundational learning: particularly literacy, numeracy, and STEM, while also prioritizing student safety, classroom focus, and consistent standards across all boards.

For trustees, these reforms would mean a more focused governance role: setting direction, overseeing performance, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources. Day-to-day operations would rest more clearly with professional staff and senior administration. The intent is to improve transparency, consistency, and student achievement across Ontario’s education system.

My Assessment of These Changes

Many of these proposed changes are sensible and address long-standing concerns about accountability, clarity of roles, and academic focus. However, their success will depend entirely on how they are implemented. I am cautiously optimistic, but I remain concerned about whether these reforms will be carried out in a way that respects local communities, preserves meaningful trustee oversight, and supports the unique needs of students and families.

Equally important, any reform must include strong checks and balances. New powers and new structures should be accompanied by clear performance measures, transparent reporting, and regular public review. Ontarians deserve confidence that these changes are delivering real, measurable improvements for students – not simply creating a more centralized system with less local accountability.

When elected, I will closely monitor how these reforms are implemented, advocate for adjustments where needed, and hold both the Ministry and the Board accountable for delivering measurable results. I will also keep our community informed through transparent, regular communication.

Key Issues in Our Schools – and How I’ll Deliver Results

1. Declining Academic Performance

In Durham, about 1 in 3 students are behind in math by Grade 3, and nearly half by Grade 6. Durham is above the Ontario average, but when 40% of Grade 6 students still miss the math standard, average is not good enough.

These gaps start early and grow. We need stronger foundations at early grades.

High School Readiness (Math)

Only about 55–60% of students meet the Grade 9 math standard. Too many students enter high school unprepared.

Our teachers are sounding the alarm: too many students are arriving in Grade 9 without the essential academic skills and coping strategies necessary to navigate high school successfully.

My Commitment:

I will relentlessly advocate to make Academic Excellence the clear top priority and push for stronger early literacy and numeracy instruction, so every child builds a firm foundation.

Strong foundations in literacy and math open every future door.

We must close learning gaps before students reach Grade 9.

2. Back to Basics in Every Classroom

Students need to master reading, writing, and math before advancing.

My Commitment:

I will champion Back to Basics at the board table and demand a renewed focus on core skills so students are genuinely prepared for high school and life.

Students should enter high school ready to succeed.

3. Poor Communication & Parent Voice

I will be readily available to parents. I will personally answer your phone calls and emails with timely, honest, and straightforward responses.

My Commitment:

I will demand real transparency, honest reporting, and genuine parent engagement. I will be a strong, consistent voice for families at the board table. I’m here for you. I will take your calls and emails and always provide timely, honest responses, no runaround, just real answers.

4. Supporting Enriching Learning Experiences

Programs like science fairs, STEM activities, and hands-on learning opportunities are often underfunded.

My Commitment:

I will support funding for science fairs/STEM expos, Math contests and classroom activities that build curiosity, critical thinking, and real-world skills for all students.

I support expanding science fairs, robotics, coding, math contests, and hands-on STEM opportunities so every DDSB student has access to enrichment that builds curiosity and real-world skills.

5. Classroom Safety & Effective Learning

Disruptions are interfering with teaching and learning.

My Commitment:

I will strongly advocate for safe, respectful, and orderly classrooms where teachers can teach and students can learn without constant interruptions.

Students learn best in calm, respectful classrooms.

Teachers should be free to teach, and students free to learn.

6. Misplaced Spending – Bureaucracy Over Classrooms

Too many dollars go to administration, consulting firms, associations and non-classroom items instead of direct support for students and teachers.

My Commitment:

As a CPA, I will carefully scrutinize spending to ensure resources are directed to classrooms first, prioritizing teaching, learning, and essential student needs. I will champion evidence-based decisions so every dollar spent delivers clear value for students, teachers, and schools

7. Trades, STEM & Future Skills

Students are often graduating unprepared for the next steps.

My Commitment:

I will support more focus on Future skills so students enter the workforce, trades, post secondary, ready to take on new challenges. Our secondary school programs need to focus on preparing students for the next steps so they can be successful economically and personally.