TDSB chief education officer steps down; sweeping changes at Canada’s largest school board

The Toronto School Board’s (TDSB) chief education officer has been removed from his position just months after the Ontario government appointed a provincial supervisor.

Provincially appointed supervisor Rohit Gupta confirmed the decision in a letter to staff Friday morning, saying the board needed a “fresh start” to move forward. “Given the current circumstances and after much consideration, we have made the difficult decision with the Minister of Education to make a change in leadership. As a result, Chief Education Officer Clayton LaTache will be leaving the TDSB, effective immediately,” he wrote in the letter.

Clayton LaTache had only been in the role since February of this year.

Gupta was appointed supervisor in June of this year by Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra, following the release of a report that found the Toronto School Board’s finances in dire straits. In his letter, he commended LaTache for her efforts to support TDSB students and staff and wished her well in her future endeavors.

In a separate statement, Education Minister Calandra supported Gupta’s decisions, stressing that the Toronto School Board remains focused on student academic success and is confident in the support of the Superintendent and Interim Superintendent to achieve that goal.

LaTache served in various roles with the York Region School Board and the Ministry of Education before being appointed as TDSB Superintendent of Education. She took over in January of this year following the retirement of Colleen Russell-Rawlins and was described as “an inclusive, collaborative leader committed to educational equity.”

Gupta also announced that Stacey Zucker, the deputy superintendent, will take over as TDSB Superintendent of Education on an interim basis. She previously served in the same role after Russell-Rawlins left.

In recent months, the Ontario government has placed several boards of education under review for financial mismanagement and neglect of core educational duties. The government also recently passed Bill 33, which expanded the education minister’s authority to manage boards of education that fail to follow guidelines.

Calandra also noted that the overall structure of boards of education could be modified or even eliminated in the future, but that would likely be reviewed after next year. Ontario lawmakers went on winter recess on Thursday and will not return to parliament until March 23.

Source: CTV NEWS