Ontario Construction News staff writer
PARRY SOUND – Ontario’s education minister has placed a northern school board under provincial supervision, citing “disorganization and sheer failure” that has left hundreds of students attending classes in a partially demolished building.
Education Minister Paul Calandra announced the takeover of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) last week following a visit to the site of a long-delayed K-12 “megaschool” in Parry Sound. The project, which was originally intended to open in September 2025, is now delayed until at least September 2026.
Construction details and delays
The construction of the new school at 111 Isabella St. was designed to consolidate three local schools—Parry Sound High School, Victory Public School, and Nobel Public School—into a single 105,000-sq. ft. structure.
- Contractor: The $47.5-million construction contract was awarded to Van Horne Construction Ltd. in June 2023.
- Total investment: The total project value is approximately $58.5 million, including provincial funding and board contributions.
- Current status: While the project was reported to be “ahead of schedule” in late 2023, the site has since fallen into disarray. Dunlop noted that “mistakes need fixing” and major work remains unfinished. Currently, high school students are learning in a “half-demolished” school, with reports of classes operating out of moving boxes and supplies stored in overcrowded gyms.
The “Illegal Meetings” and governance breakdown
The provincial intervention follows a scathing Ministry of Education review and a critical investigation by the Ontario Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman’s investigation into the board’s Parry Sound Building Committee found that the board repeatedly violated transparency laws. Specifically:
- Closed-door sessions: The committee held multiple private (in-camera) meetings that did not meet the legal requirements under the Education Act.
- Lack of public record: Significant decisions regarding the project’s direction and budget were discussed without public oversight, contributing to what the Ministry described as a “fractured relationship” between the board and the community.
- Governance failure: The October 2025 Ministry review detailed a “breakdown in leadership,” highlighting that trustees were focused on personal agendas rather than project oversight. The report also flagged the improper use of corporate credit cards by the board’s former director of education.
Provincial supervision
The province has now stripped the elected trustees of their authority, appointing a provincial supervisor to oversee all board operations. A dedicated project manager has also been assigned specifically to the Parry Sound build to ensure the facility meets its revised 2026 opening date.
“To parents, teachers, and staff in Near North, work with me,” Dunlop said. “We will get this school and this board back on track.”
