The English Catholic school trustee elected last Monday says he won't be attending the Board's inauguration, to bring attention to his call for the Province to take over operations and investigate past actions by the Board and senior administration.
Frank O;Hagan topped the polls and ran on a platform of getting a provincial review of its operations. He told BayToday that he'll be working toward that goal until the takeover is in place and both a preliminary and final ministry report is firmly implemented.
"Until then I will not be attending the inauguration, or possibly the first meeting, until this government and this board can help sort out the due diligence required.
"I have been ashamed and embarrassed and believe that too many trustees of this board over the last four years and longer, need to go. These trustees, as well as senior administration and superintendents, have, by their decisions, behaviour, lack of transparency and accountability, all shown us the need to clean house where most critical, and make changes for the students."
See: English Catholic trustee wants Province to take over local Board
O'Hagan points to his election success as a clear message, "to have the Ministry of Education take over until this board changes its silence and secrecy and regains its integrity."
He gives as an example, what happened to the Near North Board a few years ago.
See: See: Near North Board should be 'effective, transparent and accountable' says report
He says if trustees fail to adopt Provincial recommendations they should resign or be removed.
O'Hagan says local MPP Vic Fedeli has sent "a very powerful message about himself and his lack of courage to do the right things for our students, families and his integrity and leadership when it really matters," by not endorsing a provincial review.
He's hoping for an NDP private members bill will be introduced if Fedeli doesn't act.
"Besides being a great disappointment for far too long, including governance, human resources, and financial accountability, both a preliminary and final report is drastically needed to ensure this board has the tools it needs to make necessary changes and improve public confidence in this board and in Ontario's publicly funded education system.
"For all of these reasons and more, I will not be attending the inauguration or possibly, the first meeting, nor do I feel that the others should be inaugurated until the Ministry takes over, and both a preliminary and final report for this board to be more inclusive, is implemented.
O'Hagan calls the election efforts of the majority of trustees "pitiful in their overall election campaigns for not attending three of the 'meet and greets', not outlining what they have done in the last four years individually, and collectively, what they intend to do with strategic plans, and strangely, being paid for doing what?
"Their refusal to meet and greet employees from the board, parishioners and the community shows little respect for all three groups and leaves us with no reason to have an inauguration at this time or begin meetings until there are drastic changes on the unilateral power, prestige, and ego they provide with very little inclusiveness."
O'Hagan, who has also served on North Bay City Council. says their election campaigns, "for most, was as much a farce and mockery when it looks like more of the same for the students, their families, their education and the community for the next four years, with more silence and secrecy and little integrity until things change. A great deal is wrong and needs to change."
He also adds at this point he has little trust in supporting anyone for chair or vice-chair.
"I will be bringing forth a resolution for a notice of consideration if changes through a takeover and a preliminary and final report are not done."
