Parents should vote on Catholic board chair, trustee says
November 16, 2009
Kristin Rushowy
EDUCATION REPORTER
A Toronto Catholic trustee says parents - not he and his colleagues - should choose the board's new chair in December.
Rob Davis is appealing to the provincial supervisor, who runs the Toronto Catholic District School Board, to allow parents to somehow vote on the issue rather than leave it up to trustees, who are yet again facing trouble as two are accused of conflict of interest.
He says parishes, even student councils at high schools, could be included.
"The potential for a smooth and non-controversial election for chair and vice-chair does not bode well," Davis says in a memo to provincial supervisor Richard Alway and fellow trustees sent Monday.
Davis notes that the last time trustees voted in a chair last January, there was animosity amongst some trustees as well as an ongoing court case alleging conflict of interest launched against trustee Oliver Carroll for which some board members and staff provided affidavits on both sides.
"The last time the trustees voted for the chair and vice-chair positions the ensuing bad media from the divisive nature of the process was a setback" for the board, says Davis' memo.
"The process was divisive in part because of ongoing legal action commenced by a ratepayer against one trustee..... Unfortunately the similar conditions exist as we fast approach the annual election of chair and vice-chair," with conflict of interest cases launched against current Chair Angela Kennedy and veteran Trustee Barbara Poplawski.
Alway is out of town and could not be reached for comment.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Education said it is not aware of parents ever electing a chair, but notes the Education Act requires trustees to hold such a vote at their first meeting in December.
Davis, however, said he is not married to any one method - trustees could even vote to endorse whomever ratepayers had chosen.
He came up with the idea at a parent conference on the weekend, and after Alway had asked for some input on electing a new chair.
"It came to me like a lightning bolt.....that we empower parent groups to make the decision," said Davis, adding it could be done through a direct vote, or by having parent councils at schools send a designate to vote on candidates. Student councils at high schools could also participate, he added.
Because the board is under provincial supervision after failing to balance its budget and a number of spending scandals, "in our very unusual state of limbo I thought we could try something new.....and help (parents) take back their boardroom," Davis added.
"I think this helps us back on the road to restoring faith into the institution."
Davis, who will not run for chair, says all trustees would have to consent to allowing parents to make the decision. He doesn't think there would be any major costs to such a move.
"I am hopeful that you will give full consideration to the idea of engaging our ratepayers, parishes, parents, and students in a manner the likes of which has never been done at the TCDSB," Davis' memo also says. "To be certain it would be uncharted waters. With good faith on the part of all trustees I believe we can not only avoid the waiting icebergs, but navigate to safer more calm waters in a way that re-establishes our reputation for innovation, responsiveness, and accountability."
Paula Peroni, president of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association, said the opportunity is already there for trustees to consult with parents before voting. She wasn't sure how much traction Davis' idea will have.
"The opportunity is there if they want to (consult)," she said, adding the current system of trustees electing a chair - their leader - has been in place for years.
thestar.com