The Ontario government is introducing new requirements for school boards to create dedicated offices to handle unresolved concerns from parents and students.
The government said the offices would be an extra place families can raise concerns if they feel the school is not responding appropriately to “community concerns” or “contentious or complex issues.”
“Student and Family Support Offices will review concerns raised by families to help resolve matters that need to be escalated following initial engagement with a child’s teacher and principal,” said the release, adding the offices will aim to provide a response within five business days.
The first support offices will be opened in January 2026 at five school boards that the province had previously put under its supervision, including Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Thames Valley District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, and Toronto District School Board.
Other school boards will be required to submit information to the province outlining their plans to open offices by September 2026. The deadline for the submission is March 31, 2026.
The province said the move will allow parents and guardians “a clear, effective way to get help regarding their child’s education and find solutions faster.”
The offices will be mandated to help resolve issues after an initial meeting with a child’s teacher and principal. Offices will acknowledge inquiries within two business days and provide a response within five business days. A supervisory officer will also be assigned to each support office.
Education Minister Paul Calandra said in the release the offices were part of the government’s efforts to “continue overhauling an outdated school board governance model“ that he said would lead to ”better outcomes” for students.
The province filed legislation in May that would expand the education minister’s authority over school boards, called the “Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025.” It includes measures such as directing investigations into school board management and the authority to put a board under the province’s supervision.
The Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA), which oversees all public school boards in the province, said it welcomes the government’s move to set up support offices, saying they would help parents and students “feel heard and supported” in schools.
“When parents are seeking further answers related to their child’s education, it can be tremendously valuable to be able to seek those answers from someone who is directly accountable to them, like their local trustee,” OPSBA president Kathleen Woodcock said in an emailed statement.
