The Toronto Association of Parents in Catholic Education (TAPCE) is encouraged by the appointment of a new Supervisor, of the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB),   Mr. Richard Always on 24Aug09 effective 27Aug09. It is seen as a positive step forward to restoring public confidence in the Board. In addition the recognition of the previously elected, Chair of the Board of Trustee, Ms Angela Kennedy, is considered  a good first step in restoring an accountable and transparent governance structure.

Mr Alway’s  mandate to build on the positive accomplishments of his predecessors, Mr. Hartmann and Mr. Forma, and to establish a new governance model for the Board will help to refocus the role of the Board Trustees to support increased student achievement, increased accountability and transparency, good governance, financial sustainability and increased public confidence. 

The appointment of a new supervisor is also seen as a fine-tuning step in enacting Bill 177 – Student Achievement and School Board Governance Act. With Final consultation on this bill coming to a close the last wek of august, many implications of the change are coming to light in the TCDSB supervision case. Parents are concerns both with the seeming absence of accountability of the supervisors and removal of checks and balances to ensure ratepayers interests are appropriately implemented through elected officials such as Trustees. 

In addition, TAPCE wishes to express optimism that Ms. Angela Kennedy has been recognized by the Ministry as the Board Chair of Trustees. The expectation set by important steps such as this is a positive development towards helping to restore public confidence in the Trustees and the Board. The efforts of the Trustees to address the problems identified in the audit conducted by the Ministry are believed to be under reported.

TAPCE would like to offer its sincere thanks to Mr. Norbert Hartmann and Mr. Norm Forma for their commitment to the TCDSB during their appointment and the many accomplishments that were made towards restoring public confidence.  The efforts of the previous supervisory team are believed to have brought the Board closer to financial sustainability. However some concerns remain on the processes used to achieve this. It is hoped that certain decisions imposed in the 2009-2010 budget may yet be altered in the implementation stage of the budget in response to negative implications that may emerge. It is also hoped that the legacy of the outgoing supervisor team will prove to be an effective catalyst in involving more stakeholders in decision making.

TAPCE looks forward to working with Mr. Alway in the very near future to provide its input into the formation of the governance model and to offer its support in any way possible. TAPCE will be calling on the new Supervisor, the Chair of the Trustee and all Trustees to increase accountability and transparency. 

Sincerely

Dan Barrett /  Vice  President
Toronto Association of Parents in Catholic Education
Tapce.Committee@gmail.com

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