Q+A: New Thames Valley CEO on school board's daunting rebuild

Thames Valley District school board’s new top boss, Kevin Auckland, spoke this week about taking on one of the toughest jobs around and rebuilding trust in an institution many have lost faith in.

Auckland, currently a senior superintendent, says when he starts July 1 as chief executive officer, his role is “to come in and listen and learn” before making big changes at the board.

Q: Why do you want this job?

I thought long and hard about taking on this position. I feel very deeply connected and invested in Thames Valley – the people, communities and its future. If there is an exciting aspect to me, it is Thames Valley is where I grew up both personally and professionally.

Q: Why did you go to a controversial $38,000 Toronto retreat in 2024 that sparked an audit that led to the board being put under supervision?

It is not a surprise I went to the retreat. I was a superintendent at the time, and I was directed to report to work on that day.

Q: Were you surprised by the public reaction and outcome, including the resignations of multiple senior officials at the board?

The people who were involved in that decision originally . . . no longer work for the school board. Under my leadership, moving forward, I am focused on accountability, fiscal responsibility and student achievement. (The retreat) was not accountable or fiscally responsible. We will do any (administrative) planning that needs to be done here.

Q: The Ministry of Education recently announced the new CEO position, formerly education director, would need to have a financial background. Do you have a financial background?

In my experience as a superintendent . . . I have led multi-million-dollar portfolios across programs and learning services, including special education, Indigenous education and professional student services, with direct responsibility for financial stewardship and . . . ensuring what we’re purchasing aligns with our multi-year strategic plan and the ministry student achievement plan. Those experiences have provided me with what is needed to look at financial recovery and strengthen operational oversight to meet those long-term stability goals for Thames Valley.

Q: What is Thames Valley’s financial position right now? What is its deficit?

I don’t have that aspect in front of me. We have just received the budget from the ministry, and we are in the process of building the budget for next year. We have to provide the budget to the ministry by the end of June.

Q: How long do you think the supervision order will last?

That’s a hard question. I think we are into being supervised for at least another school year until the ministry feels we are in a good position moving forward.

Q: Do you think you will reinstate public board and other meetings? Will you livestream them?

Over the next five weeks, I will be transitioning with interim director Bill Tucker. On July 1, when my position takes effect, I will be working with supervisor Paul Boniferro. At that time, we will discuss what the state of how things will be. Some of the decisions are not necessarily going to be my decision, but we will know more as I walk into the position.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish over the next year?

My vision is that every student is thriving in Thames Valley. Every educator and staff is empowered, and every community is strengthened, and that’s important to me. Building public accountability is going to be very important to me as we embark on a new future together. I believe it is going to be a new beginning.

Hrivers@postmedia.com