TDSB troubleshooter given extra time to report
It’s a tough assignment — and she’s just been given an extension.
The provincial troubleshooter sent in to repair relations at the Toronto District School Board — who will also suggest ways to start restructuring a board that has been called too large and unmanageable — now has until the week of Jan. 12 to submit her report to Education Minister Liz Sandals.
Margaret Wilson’s initial deadline was Dec. 31.
“Based on the fact that there have been a large number of people interested in speaking with Margaret Wilson, we are now expecting the final report during the week of January 12,” said Mike Semansky, a spokesperson for Sandals.
“Given the significant feedback she has already received, we want to make sure Margaret has the time she needs to finalize her report.”
Wilson was appointed at the end of November after months of scandals at the board, including trustee infighting, accusations of document tampering, allegations Director of Education Donna Quan withheld her contract — which she refutes — as well as criminal charges against former trustee Howard Goodman, who stands accused of forcibly confining and criminally harassing Quan during his time in office.
Goodman, who did not seek re-election, appears in court Thursday.
Wilson was also tasked with supporting a smooth transition for the 11 new trustees recently elected, and will also look at the issue of Quan’s $289,000 salary. At issue is whether it is allowed given it was negotiated under the broader public sector pay freeze and is higher than her predecessor, Chris Spence, though equal to his predecessor Gerry Connelly.
At a board meeting Wednesday night, trustees had a chance to look at and discuss Quan’s contract as well as those of Spence and Connelly, during a private session, said Chair Shaun Chen.
The lawyers who represented the board during that contract negotiation were present to answer trustee questions, he added.
One trustee said the board was surprised to find out there was a decade-old motion on the books to make director contracts public, something that has not been done.
During the public meeting, trustees approved a motion to hold a low-cost retreat to help build relationships and set goals, as proposed by Chris Glover.
