An Ontario school trustee targeted for dismissal by the province’s education minister has now stepped down. Mark Watson, a member of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, was part of a group of four trustees who spent $45,000 traveling to Italy to purchase $100,000 worth of art on behalf of the board.
This trip, deemed controversial, is just one instance highlighted by Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra to demonstrate instances of misusing public funds at certain school boards, prompting a call for governance reform. While three trustees reimbursed their expenses from the trip, Calandra stated that Watson failed to fully repay his share, leaving a balance of over $12,000.
Calandra introduced a bill on Monday specifically aimed at terminating Watson’s position and preventing him from serving as a trustee at any Ontario school board until 2030. In response, Calandra expressed regret that legislation was necessary to prompt Watson to take appropriate action, emphasizing the government’s commitment to upholding accountability and integrity in education.
The Education Minister stressed that Watson still has outstanding debts to the school board and urged him to settle the amount owed promptly. Calandra condemned the diversion of funds meant for student success to fund extravagant European trips for disconnected school board trustees, underscoring the importance of responsible financial stewardship.
Despite not providing a comment, the board confirmed Watson’s resignation on Friday.