Ministry of Education launches investigation into OCDSB finances [Video]

The province is launching a financial investigation into the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), which may lead to the ministry taking control of its budget.

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra announced Wednesday the provincial government was launching an investigation into three boards and taking control of another over financial mismanagement.

The OCDSB has run a deficit for the last four years and is projecting a possible $20-million shortfall in its upcoming budget — if it can’t cut costs.

“I’m disappointed that they haven’t given us a little more time to address this,” OCDSB chair Lynn Scott told CBC Radio’s All In A Day.

The board has already reduced its transportation costs and announced in March it plans to cut 150 full-time jobs, Scott said.

But on Wednesday, Calandra said he would take “relentless” action to ensure “hard-earned tax dollars” reach school classrooms.

The OCDSB was one of five school boards Calandra singled out for financial …