School board appointing integrity commissioner

By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) will be hiring an integrity commissioner to respond to ethical responsibilities of elected officials.

A motion, presented to the board by Chair of the Board, Michael Barrett and the Director of Education and Secretary to the Board, Lisa Millar, is seeking an Integrity Commissioner responsible for providing advice, education and complaint resolution in an independent manner in regards to the ethical responsibilities of the elected members of the Board of Trustees, according to an administrative report released by the DDSB.

An Integrity Commissioner will also provide opinions on policy matters, as well as make reports on issues of ethics and integrity to the Board as requested. They will also make inquiries as directed by the Board and in compliance with the complaint protocol into whether or not a Board member has violated the Trustee Code of Conduct.

They will also provide educational programs to trustees on issues of ethics and integrity, while also maintaining custody and control of any complaint and inquiry files. On completion of their term in office, they will also be required to transfer open files that are relating to ongoing matters to the new Integrity Commissioner.

They will also have to provide dispute resolution, and other duties that have to do with ethical matters as assigned by the Board.

While working as an independent contractor, the Integrity Commissioner is expected to carry out the bulk of their work at their own workplace. This means that they will not be located on Board property. However, they will have office space made available as it is needed.

They will have to provide support at Board meetings, as well as standing committee meetings, and will be required to provide advice and direction pertaining to governance, parliamentary procedures, Robert’s Rules and ethical decision-making.

The qualifications for an Integrity Commissioner include the ability to demonstrate an impartiality and neutrality, similar to that of an adjudicator, judge, or other independent officer in public service.

They must also have experience managing sensitive inquiries, conducting investigations, and making timely and appropriate recommendations, according to the report.

They must have knowledge of investigative procedures, duty of fairness and any applicable administrative legal principles. They also need the ability to interpret and apply the provisions of various statues, regulations, policies, and other enabling frameworks.

An Integrity Commissioner must also be able to provide practical knowledge of the education and school board system. They must also have practical knowledge of the Education Act, and other applicable regulations.

Finally, in order to qualify for the position of Integrity Commissioner, any candidates must have 15 years of legal, senior level management, and/or quasi-judicial experience.

The Chair of the Board will form a selection committee that will interview candidates as well as evaluate any responses. They will then make a recommendation to the Board as to which firm will be appointed as Integrity Commissioner.

The motion to appoint an Integrity Commissioner has been approved by the Board, but as to when the Board will begin looking is still up in the air.