A school trustee from Ontario, who was facing removal by the province’s education minister, has now chosen to step down voluntarily.
Mark Watson, along with three other trustees from the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, went on a controversial $45,000 trip to Italy to purchase $100,000 worth of art for the board.
This trip, among other instances, has been highlighted by Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra as examples of misusing public funds in some school boards, prompting the need for a governance overhaul.
Although three of the trustees reimbursed their expenses from the trip, Calandra stated that Watson failed to fully repay his share and still owes over $12,000.
In response, Calandra introduced a bill aimed at dismissing Watson and preventing him from holding any trustee position at an Ontario school board until 2030.
Despite Watson not providing a comment, the board confirmed on Friday that he had tendered his resignation.
Calandra emphasized that the legislation would proceed to reinforce the principles of accountability and integrity in the education sector.
Expressing disappointment at the circumstances, Calandra stressed the importance of Watson rectifying his financial obligations to the board, stating that the funds should benefit student progress rather than fund extravagant vacations for disconnected school board members.