Ontario Appoints Supervisor to Oversee Thames Valley District School Board After Spending Scandal
Toronto – The Ontario government has appointed Paul Boniferro to take over financial and operational management of the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), citing concerns over fiscal mismanagement and inappropriate spending during a time of ongoing deficits.
Education Minister Paul Calandra made the announcement Tuesday, calling the board’s decision to send senior officials on a luxury retreat in downtown Toronto last summer “unacceptable.” The retreat, held in August 2024 at the hotel located in the former SkyDome, reportedly involved significant costs charged to the publicly funded board, which has been operating under a multi-million-dollar deficit for years.
We have appointed Paul Boniferro to supervise all financial and operational decisions of the Thames Valley District School Board to help improve their financial position, ensuring students are able to get the skills they need for their future. pic.twitter.com/y2AmlNgrNj
— Paul Calandra (@PaulCalandra) April 29, 2025
“Our government will be relentless in holding school boards accountable while ensuring students, parents and teachers have the resources they need for the best student achievement,” Calandra said in a statement.
Boniferro, a veteran in public sector leadership and governance, will now supervise all financial and operational decisions at the board. His past roles include serving as Deputy Attorney General of Ontario and Transition Supervisory Officer at the Ontario College of Teachers. His appointment follows a recommendation from an investigation by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which found that the board’s management required direct intervention.
The investigation was launched after concerns were raised about board spending and decision-making, particularly in light of the board’s continued financial challenges. Under Boniferro’s oversight, the Ministry of Education expects to see savings measures enacted and improved operational efficiency across the board.
This move aligns with the provincial government’s broader agenda to enforce stronger accountability across Ontario’s school boards, as outlined in the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, 2023. The Ministry says regular updates will be provided by Boniferro during his term as supervisor.
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