Expenses covered transportation, meeting spaces, food and accommodation at Rogers Centre for 18 top administrators
Amid controversy over a costly retreat, the director of education at an Ontario school board has resigned.
Mark Fisher informed the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) of his decision to step down from his post, according to the school board.
The board of trustees accepted his resignation on March 4.
Meanwhile, former associate director Linda Nicholls is no longer employed by TVDSB, effective March 6.
“TVDSB will not be making any further comments as these decisions relate to personnel matters,” said the school board.
The changes came after Ontario’s Ministry of Education announced it would launch an investigation into the financial operations of the school board following a three-day planning retreat in August 2024.
“We do have the ministry coming in to take a look at operational issues. I would suggest that the board is going to take a pause until that type of inquiry and assessments are completed, and they’ve been able to work with the ministry in terms of next steps,” former Thames Valley District School Board director of education Bill Tucker said.
Following the controversy, Fisher was put on paid leave and Tucker was appointed interim director of education, noted Global News.
Tucker would continue to hold the position until a permanent director is named.
The retreat cost the board $38,444, covering transportation, meeting spaces, food and accommodation for 18 top administrators who stayed at the Marriott City Centre Hotel located inside the Rogers Centre from Aug. 19 to 21, according to CBC.
Previous criticism of TVDSB retreat
Previously, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 4222, which represents early childhood workers in London, criticized TVDSB for spending such an amount for the trip.
“It is a lot of money. It’s actually more than what one of our members would make in an entire year,” union president Mary Henry said about the spending, which comes as the board is facing a $7.6-million deficit for the 2024-25 budget, according to a previous Global News report.
The office of Ontario's education minister also disapproved of the spending.
"When our government is making the largest investment in public education in the province's history, we expect school boards to get that funding into classrooms to increase supports for students and better equip teachers," wrote Education Minister Jill Dunlop’s spokesperson Edyta McKay on Aug. 29, according to CBC.
"That means showing parents, teachers and community members that the school board can be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars – something this retreat has brought into question."
An Ontario hospital is also under investigation for alleged financial irregularities.
