War of words heats up after local mayor calls on province to investigate TVDSB
CTV
The rift is widening between the region’s largest school board and some rural politicians.
The rift is widening between the region’s largest school board and some rural politicians.
Marcus Ryan, mayor of Zorra Township is calling on the province’s minister of education to launch an investigation into the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), but the trustee who chairs the public school board accuses Ryan of having political motives.
Mayor Ryan has drafted a letter to Education Minister Stephen Lecce seeking a provincial investigation into the recent actions of TVDSB leadership, and for a provincial appointee to temporarily take on an oversight role with the board.
“We need better school board governance to deliver for our communities,” Ryan told CTV News. “I’m asking that they send in an investigator and a supervisor to run the school board. It’s clearly demonstrated that it can’t govern itself.”
TVDSB Chair Lori-Ann Pizzolato fired back at Ryan’s motives.
“These are people who are selfishly, and very intentionally trying to generate media attention and trying to satisfy their own narrative and political agenda,” Pizzolato said.
Ryan’s letter comes one day after appearing at a TVDSB meeting to present his concerns about governance.
