Jane Fitzgerald Quits, New Executive Director Needed

April 25, 2015 permalink

Jane Fitzgerald has retired as executive director of the Children's Aid Society of London-Middlesex. Some earlier articles suggest mismanagement that may have precipitated the retirement. [1] [2] [3]. For candidates aspiring to replace Mrs Fitzgerald, the qualifications are similar to those for replacing Peter Ringrose.

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Executive director of London Middlesex Children's Aid Society Jane Fitzgerald stepping down

By Norman DeBono, The London Free Press, Thursday, April 23, 2015 9:48:34 EDT PM

Children's Aid Society executive director Jane Fitzgerald is retiring.

Free Press file photo

After more than two years of controversy, London’s child welfare agency is searching for a new boss.

Jane Fitzgerald, executive director of the Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex, is leaving the post May 11, said acting director Regina Bell.

“Jane has made a decision to retire . . . She will not be returning,” Bell said Thursday.

Fitzgerald has been on medical leave since October.

Bell said the board asked her to continue as director until her retirement in October 2016.

Fitzgerald’s departure comes on the heels of a scathing provincial financial review, obtained by The Free Press, that found the CAS top-heavy and wasteful.

“It’s a relief to finally have an answer as to what is happening,” said Karen Cudmore, president of OPSEU Local 116 that represents CAS workers.

Workers are eager to turn the page on more than two years of controversy since details of Fitzgerald’s salary, and the inflated numbers for senior managers, came to light, Cudmore said.

“It’s a new atmosphere of openness and co-operation. It’s a very inclusive process among the staff and community groups. It’s a new start and for the membership, that’s a good thing.”

In 2013, reports surfaced that Fitzgerald was Ontario’s highest-paid child welfare agency boss earning $212,717, more than the executive director at the Toronto CAS. At that time, local CAS executives received raises — some more than $20,000 and $30,000 — as its front-line workers faced massive job cuts and a pay freeze.

Its list of managers on Ontario’s list of public servants paid $100,000 or more grew to 22 in 2012 from 19 the year before, and all made more than the year before at a time of budget cuts.

The CAS also failed to balance its budget in 2013, running a deficit despite one-time funding of $3.9 million from the Ministry of Family and Children’s Service.

That forced a review that revealed the agency spent $300,000 on renovations to rented offices, $174,000 on consultants, $50,000 on taxis and $19,600 for 23 iPad tablets. Its average cost of managing cases was $12,000 higher than other agencies.

Source: London Free Press