New Support Offices Raise Concerns Among Ontario School Trustees

A newly announced Student and Family Support Office in Ontario is causing uncertainty among school board trustees who are questioning its impact on their roles. The provincial government revealed a two-phase rollout for these offices, set to begin in January 2026, with an expectation that they will streamline communication between parents and the education system.

The offices will initially launch within five school boards under provincial control, including the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Thames Valley District School Board, Toronto District School Board, and Toronto Catholic District School Board. A full provincewide implementation is scheduled for September 2026. Once operational, these offices aim to serve as centralized points for parents and caregivers to seek assistance, promising to acknowledge requests within two days and provide answers within five days.

Trustees are concerned about whether these new offices will enhance their roles or replace them altogether. “We do not yet know if the establishment of these offices replaces the trustee role,” stated Maedith Radlein, chair of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). She emphasized that the offices could duplicate existing responsibilities held by trustees, yet there has been no official clarification from the Ministry of Education regarding their intent.

Radlein also expressed apprehension about the potential operational burden without additional funding. “What we do know is that school boards are expected to staff these offices without additional funding,” she noted, indicating that existing staff will likely be redeployed to fulfill these new roles.

Concerns regarding redundancy and confusion have also been echoed by education sector representatives. David Mastin, president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, criticized the initiative as a political maneuver that undermines elected trustees. “If the minister genuinely wants families to get quick and meaningful help, he should strengthen, not sideline, democratically elected trustees who amplify the voices of parents,” he stated. Mastin emphasized the need for authentic engagement, expressing frustration over the notion of parents navigating a system akin to a call center.

In response to inquiries about the new offices, Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Minister of Education, described them as a means for parents to receive straightforward answers and escalate concerns when necessary. He clarified that parents are still expected to approach teachers and school administrators first for complex issues. “Where it’s not resolved, they’ll have a point of contact where they can continue to get information from,” Calandra explained, indicating that the offices will provide a structured follow-up system.

The WRDSB will also face challenges in integrating the new support offices with existing roles focused on community engagement, particularly among diverse populations. The board currently employs system navigators with specialized focuses to assist parents in accessing educational resources. The implementation of the new offices could lead to overlap, complicating communication pathways for families.

In a statement, WRDSB spokesperson Estefania Brandenstein affirmed the board’s commitment to supporting students and families, while also awaiting further guidance from the Ministry of Education on how to effectively redistribute staff. “We will continue to prioritize clear communication, timely support, and effective pathways for resolving concerns,” she added.

Similarly, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our approach will combine proven practices with new guidance from the ministry to ensure a thoughtful and effective implementation.” The board is focused on understanding the full scope of the mandate before proceeding with any changes.

School boards across Ontario have until March 2024 to develop and submit their plans to the province regarding the new offices. As these developments unfold, many are closely monitoring the potential implications for local governance and community engagement in education.