The taxpayer bill for government-appointed supervisors overseeing troubled Ontario school boards has topped $40,000 in just a few months, with hotel stays, meals and mileage making up the bulk of these growing expenses.
Documents obtained through freedom of information requests show that supervisors brought in to manage the Thames Valley and Kawartha Pine Ridge district school boards have submitted expense claims totaling $41,362 between November 2023 and February 2024.
Former director of education Paul Denomme, appointed to oversee Thames Valley after governance concerns emerged last fall, has claimed $23,498 in expenses for his four-month assignment. This includes nearly $15,000 in accommodation costs at London’s DoubleTree Hotel, where he’s stayed four nights weekly at approximately $179 per night.
“The supervisors are fulfilling critical responsibilities to restore proper governance in boards where serious issues were identified,” said Education Ministry spokesperson Grace Lee when asked about the expenditures. “These temporary measures ensure students continue receiving quality education while addressing administrative challenges.”
The province stepped in at Thames Valley last November following allegations of a toxic work environment and governance failures. Similarly, Kawartha Pine Ridge came under supervision in January after concerns about its handling of violent incidents and special education programs.
Bruce Rodrigues, a former deputy minister appointed to Kawartha Pine Ridge, has submitted $17,864 in expenses. His claims include $11,132 for mileage between his Toronto home and the Peterborough-based board – calculating to roughly 1,060 kilometers weekly at the government rate of 59 cents per kilometer.
When I visited Thames Valley board offices last week, parent council member Sarah Jensen expressed mixed feelings about the supervision costs. “We needed intervention, absolutely, but shouldn’t the ministry have better oversight before things reach this breaking point? Now we’re paying twice – for both the dysfunctional board and the clean-up crew.”
Ontario’s education funding has been under increased scrutiny as boards across the province face deficit pressures. Thames Valley itself is grappling with a projected $10 million budget shortfall, making the additional supervision expenses a sensitive issue in the community.
“I understand the necessity for outside intervention, but there should be better planning around these costs,” said Peter Mackenzie, education policy researcher at the University of Western Ontario. “Perhaps virtual oversight or regional supervisors could reduce these expenses while still addressing governance issues.”
Meanwhile, local teachers’ federation representative Jennifer Collins pointed out that the supervision expenses would cover the annual salary of a classroom educational assistant. “When we’re told there’s no money for front-line supports for kids with special needs, but we can afford hotel stays for supervisors, it sends a concerning message about priorities.”
The expense reports show both supervisors claiming meal allowances totaling approximately $5,600 combined, with Denomme’s receipts showing several dinners at upscale London restaurants including The Keg and Michael’s on the Thames.
Ministry officials defended these expenses as standard government per diems and noted that supervisors are working away from home for extended periods. The daily meal allowance for provincial officials is capped at $45 for dinner.
“These supervisors have taken on demanding roles requiring significant travel and time away from their families,” said Deputy Minister Nancy Naylor in an email statement. “The compensation reflects the expertise needed to address complex governance situations.”
The province hasn’t provided a timeline for how long the supervision periods might last, raising questions about the final taxpayer tab. Previous school board supervisions in Ontario have lasted anywhere from six months to two years.
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation local president Janet Bigham suggested the money might be better spent addressing the issues that led to supervision. “If we invested in proper governance training for trustees and administrators upfront, maybe we wouldn’t need these expensive interventions later.”
At a recent Thames Valley community meeting I attended, several parents questioned whether the supervision was yielding measurable improvements. “We’re four months in, thousands of dollars spent, and many of us are still waiting to see concrete changes in how the board operates,” said parent Amir Khoury.
According to Statistics Canada data, education spending in Ontario has been a contentious issue, with the province spending approximately $17,000 per student annually, slightly below the national average.
For now, the supervisors continue their work with the full backing of Education Minister Stephen Lecce, who has defended the appointments as necessary to restore public confidence. The expense totals will likely continue growing until local elected trustees resume control – a date that remains uncertain for both boards.
