An Ontario school board is facing an audit by the province after it was revealed that they spent close to $40,000 on a three-day retreat.
The audit, announced by Ontario Minister of Education Jill Dunlop on Sept. 13, will investigate the financial operations, executive members’ compensation, and overall administration of the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB).
Dunlop highlighted that the board is currently operating in a deficit and emphasized that provincial funding should be directed towards benefiting students and teachers. She stressed the importance of boards demonstrating responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars to parents, teachers, and community members.
The retreat, attended by 18 senior staff members last month, took place at a hotel inside the Rogers Centre baseball stadium.
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In June, the school board passed a motion to review expenses related to TVDSB events, as mentioned in the statement. The motion outlined the need for a thorough evaluation of all professional development opportunities to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with the board’s strategic plan.
“The Board has complete confidence that Interim Director Bill Tucker will communicate the efforts he is leading, focusing on accountability and transparency to the community as we prioritize student achievement and well-being,” Mai stated.
