A call by school trustee candidate Frank O'Hagan for the replacement of Near North Director of Education Jackie Young has apparently hit a nerve.
On Monday O'Hagan said, "What is clear in my mind is the status, performance, and tenure of the present director, superintendents, and senior administration. It would be very appropriate and timely to me to remove the present director and begin as soon as possible to begin looking at her contract to determine when and how the process for a new director can begin. Coinciding with the new appointment of the director and the newly elected board as soon as possible, I believe is in everyone’s best interest."
See: O'Hagan calls for replacing director of education and an external audit of board staff
Today, a Board news release stated, "Mr. O’Hagan contacted Ms. Young this summer and requested a meeting to discuss issues and priorities for the Near North District School Board. However, as Mr. O’Hagan was and is currently a candidate for Trustee, his request for a meeting was declined. During the election campaign period employees of the Board, including the Director of Education, must remain non-partisan in order to ensure the integrity of the election process and our residents democratic rights. Requests for meetings from other candidates and for information that is not readily and/or publicly available have also been declined."
But O'Hagan told BayToday that's simply not true.
"She has the right to meet with anybody she wants. I'm a candidate who is running for election, but if I have some questions I want to ask her, it's easier for me to ask her before I'm elected."
The Board's news release continues, "The Director of Education and Board staff are looking forward to working with all elected Trustees to ensure that the Board remains accountable to students, parents and community partners. Openness and transparency are at the core of public government and Ms. Young is supportive of all initiatives that uphold these values."
When contacted by BayToday Young wouldn't comment further.
Young says she was "surprised" after reading O'Hagan's initial comments but that was about it.
"I think I'm going to stand by the media release. We did that quite purposely and I just wanted to make sure that people understood how things might have worked."
Young then hung up.
