The trustees of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) were completely locked out of their electronic accounts after the Ontario Ministry of Education took over the governance of the board at the end of June.

The ministry announced the appointment of supervisor Robert Plamondon to have full oversight of the board's operations, which is the largest in the Ottawa area.

The provincial government explained that this step aims to address what it described as ongoing financial mismanagement, after the board recorded four consecutive budgets with a financial deficit.

However, critics expressed their astonishment at the timing of the decision, confirming that the board had approved a financial plan to achieve balance.

Regional parliament member for Ottawa Centre, Catherine McKenney (NDP), stated: “The board has indeed succeeded in achieving financial balance in the last budget, and therefore bringing in a figure close to the governing Conservative Party who has no background in education to oversee an elected board is something that cannot be understood.”

The trustees had approved a plan worth $18 million to balance the 2025-2026 budget, which includes the elimination of 135 positions, and cutting spending by $4.98 million in special education, $5.97 million in administration, and $4.22 million in direct education.

Staff also discussed with the trustees the possibility of achieving long-term savings through the sale of vacant buildings, in addition to the potential closure of some adult high schools and special education programs.

The board's long-term plan included the study of selling properties, including McGregor Eason Public School.

With the trustees' email accounts closed, they lost the ability to communicate with hundreds of families, and the timeline for the restoration of their powers remains unclear.

“We have been left in the dark, and the parents have been left in the dark, and now the trustees are also cut off from the system, and we don’t know what the next steps are,” McKenney said.

Trustee Donna Blackburn declined a request for an interview, but said in a statement: “I look forward to meeting the supervisor if he wishes, and I am ready to provide any assistance he sees fit.”

According to the Ministry of Education, the supervisor now has full authority over the governance of the board, including budgets, policies, and operational management.

Ministry spokesperson Emma Tiziani stated in a release to CTV Ottawa: “When a school board in Ontario is under ministerial supervision, all governance and decision-making powers completely transfer to the supervisor.”

The ministry has urged parents with questions to contact the board directly via email: enquiries@ocdsb.ca