2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Kristin Rushowy)
Premier Doug Ford has ordered an audit of discretionary spending at all Ontario school boards after yet another pricey international trip — this time $32,000 for a conference in Hawaii that officials defended as a “once-in-a-career opportunity” for three staff members — came to light. “Honestly, it’s appalling,” Education Minister Jill Dunlop said Thursday when asked about taken by the trio of employees at the Lambton Kent District School Board, as well as reports of a to St. Catharines attended by more than two dozen employees of the London Catholic board.
And, she warned, now is the time for boards to fess up to any additional international or questionable travel. “I’m hearing from taxpayers. This is money that is supposed to be spent in the schools, on teachers and student support,” Dunlop said.
“The premier has directed me to do audits of discretionary funding in the school boards, and we’ll be proceeding with that.” Dunlop said Education Ministry officials will “meet with the directors of education to discuss this with them, to let them know this is happening, and to also give them a head’s up that maybe it’s time to come forward and let us know about some of the appalling events that have been going on.” Four boards have landed in hot water for costly travel — including a $145,000 trip to Italy taken by four Brantford Catholic trustees, a price tag that included the purchase of religious artwork, as well as a $40,000 retreat for senior staff at the Thames Valley board.
The Lambton Kent travel was first reported by the CBC, and based on documents released under a freedom-of-information request. The ministry says the audits are being conducted under the greater transparency expected by boards outlined in last year’s Bill 98, t with the specific order from Ford to include discretionary spending. But news of them came as a surprise to the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.
“School boards have not yet received the full details regarding a potential audit and look forward to understanding how this process will unfold,” said association president Kathleen Woodcock. “School board trustees across Ontario take their roles very seriously, particularly their commitment to being financially responsible, transparent, and accountable to the communities and students they serve,” Woodcock said. “We fully support the minister’s focus on putting resources where they matter most: to benefit students directly.
” Dunlop said the ministry will be looking into whether attending the conferences can be justified, and noted that an online option was available for the Hawaii trip. “That money was spent to travel to Hawaii on something that could have been done right here at (home),” Dunlop told reporters at Queen’s Park. A spokesperson for the Lambton Kent District School Board said staff members attended an international conference last January in Hawaii, adding “we maintain the quality of our staff by investing in them.
” Three front-line Indigenous education staff members were approved to go to the meeting as it “offers a unique platform for sharing innovative ideas, research findings, and best practices in the field of Indigenous education. In a commitment to our efforts towards truth and reconciliation, and given the ever-evolving landscape of education, it is crucial for professionals on our Indigenous education team to stay updated on the latest trends, strategies and technologies to address the changing needs of students and learners,” public relations officer Caress Lee said in a written statement, noting the cost of the trip came out of a fund specifically for Indigenous education. “Attending this conference provided (Lambton Kent) Indigenous education staff with the invaluable, once-in-a-career opportunity to elevate their professional development and actively contribute to the ongoing growth and improvement of the Lambton-Kent District School Board.
Participants engaged in unique land-based learning experiences on the island and had the rare opportunity to connect with and learn from esteemed elders. This positioned the conference as a transformative experience that shaped the future of Indigenous education in our community and the Indigenous educational opportunities for our students.” Lee did not confirm the amount spent.
The cited the cost at more than $32,000 for travel, hotel and meals. The London Free Press, meanwhile, taken by 26 employees of the London District Catholic School Board in St. Catharines.
News of that expenditure comes on the heels of an auditor being sent to investigate the Thames Valley District School Board after its officials took a , staying at the former SkyDome hotel on the same days the Blue Jays played home games. The premier has said he is frustrated with such spending. It’s “like the cheese slipped off the cracker with these guys,” Ford said last month at an unrelated announcement, adding school boards are “the first to scream they need more money.
” The provincial government, he added is “pouring money into school boards, and they’re out partying and acting like a bunch of yahoos. Unacceptable. You’re elected — you have to respect the taxpayers’ money.
” The government is also investigating a trip taken by four trustees at the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board. The trustees in question, including the chair, have said they will and are looking for outside support to cover the cost of the religious artwork they bought for schools..
