The heads of Ontario’s 72 faculty boards have been learn the riot act about “inappropriate” spending on costly journeys, provincial officers say
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Ontario Minister Schooling Minister Jill Dunlop, walks to a press convention at Queen’s Park in Toronto, on Monday, Feb 26, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey)
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The heads of Ontario’s 72 faculty boards – together with the Thames Valley and London District Catholic board – have been learn the riot act about “inappropriate” spending on costly journeys, provincial officers affirm.
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“I want to be clear: there is no room for unnecessary or extravagant expenses,” Schooling Minister Jill Dunlop mentioned in a convention name Thursday, a transcript of which was offered to The Ontario Chronicle.
In her first assembly with boards since she was appointed in late August, Dunlop she mentioned she would have “preferred to meet under better circumstances” with Ontario’s schooling administrators and board chairs.
She instructed board leaders “every dollar” should go towards bettering the scholar expertise by funding classroom sources, trainer assist and packages that enhance educational outcomes.
The scolding comes after 4 Southwestern Ontario faculty boards – together with two within the London space – got here below hearth for bills that “raise legitimate and serious concerns, and demonstrate a serious lack of judgment,” Dunlop mentioned.
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Invoice Tucker, interim director of the Thames Valley District faculty board, mentioned the convention name was “a frank conversation” and “well received.”
“High expectations were communicated,” he mentioned.
London District Catholic chair Gabe Pizzuti mentioned Dunlop’s message “was both direct and clear and straightforward with expectations – no one left that meeting yesterday without knowing what the expectations were.
“All school boards must demonstrate a commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility, prioritizing student achievement and strengthening classroom support,” he mentioned. “It’s encouraging to see trustees and education leaders be on the same call and lead by example using good judgment to ensure excellent resources are managed properly.”
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Gabe Pizzuti, chairperson of the board of trustees of the London District Catholic faculty board. {Photograph} taken Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. (Mike Hensen/The Ontario Chronicle)
Dunlop mentioned boards want to make use of common sense and “champion fiscal responsibility.
“We know the sector is facing increasing financial pressures. It’s important that you are mindful of every dollar,” she mentioned.
Dunlop additionally requested the boards to “please be mindful of the fact that the entire province — parents, taxpayers, the media — is watching closely.”
The ministry will monitor faculty board discretionary bills and embrace it as a part of the semi-annual disclosure of board financials introduced ahead by laws in Invoice 98 final spring, she mentioned.
SCHOOL BOARDS UNDER FIRE
The Thames Valley District faculty board was reprimanded in September after The Ontario Chronicle revealed the board spent $38,000 on a Toronto retreat for 18 senior workers members from Aug. 19 to 21 on the resort contained in the Toronto Blue Jays stadium. Rooms vary from $374 to $1,199 per evening, resort workers say. The board is grappling with a $7.6-million funds deficit and had lower dozens of educating positions and funding for college journeys. Moreover schooling director Mark Fisher occurring a paid go away, a number of different senior workers members exited. The scandal led to Dunlop saying a sweeping audit of the board that has 158 colleges unfold throughout the area.The London District Catholic faculty board additionally garnered criticism after spending $16,000 on a one-night, two-day August assembly for 26 senior staffers in St. Catharines, in keeping with paperwork obtained by The Ontario Chronicle. The gathering was held on the Stone Mill Inn in August.CBC London reported that the Lambton Kent District faculty board spent greater than $32,000 to ship three workers members to an schooling convention in Hawaii the place resort room charges have been as excessive as $1,113 per evening. The trio belonged to the varsity board’s Indigenous schooling staff. Ontario Chronicle uncovered that the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic faculty board spent greater than $50,000 on an art-buying journey to Italy. The bills embrace a dinner invoice that totaled $1,600 Canadian and $100,000 in spiritual statues. It was later introduced the trustees would repay bills incurred by the board. Ontario’s Ministry of Schooling has launched a governance evaluation of the board.
HRivers
@HeatheratLFP
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