Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and its budget concern : a descriptive case study

Abstract

This qualitative thesis studies the events that led the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District school board submitting an unbalanced budget to the Ontario Ministry of Education in contravention of the education act. It also addressed the subsequent actions that led to the appointment of the Chair of the Co-Management Team by the ministry of Education. It studies the actions of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board Trustees and stakeholders within the above context. This thesis draws its research from various media articles including reports from numerous public meeting minutes, articles, news releases, provincial and non government studies and including interviews with stakeholders, with and without children within the school system. The methodology used the qualitative, chronological, and analytical data collection technique. The thesis research includes information to February 07, 2007. This is a few days after the date that the Ministry of Education took over the Financial and Administrative control of the Board. The school board still maintained the issue of Denominational control. It will also draw on my personal experience of 24 years as Trustee on the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. It offers suggestions on how the Ministry of Education can minimize the impact of limited education budget dollars today and in the future. There is agreement with stakeholders that money is not the solution because the problems are inherently systemic.