Province to audit London, Ont., school board finances after contentious $38K Toronto trip

Ontario's Ministry of Education will launch an investigation into the financial operations of London's largest school board, after officials revealed on Thursday that senior administration spent nearly $40,000 on a three-day planning retreat in Toronto last month. 

Education Minister Jill Dunlop said she will also take immediate action to conduct a management audit of the Thames Valley District School Board's executive members' compensation and their administration of the board. 

"When our government is making the largest investment in public education in the province's history, school boards must prioritize getting that funding into classrooms to help students and better equip teachers," Dunlop said in a statement.

"That means showing parents, teachers, and community members that they are responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. This is just common sense. Through Bill 98, new accountability measures have been put in place and I expect that TVDSB and all boards will use this as a learning lesson going forward."

The controversial trip's price tag came to $38,445, including transportation, meeting spaces and food for 18 top administrators who stayed at the Marriott City Centre Hotel located inside the Rogers Centre from Aug. 19 to 21. This comes as the board faces a $7.6-million budget deficit and has made cuts that will affect students and teachers. 

The school board released the figures after weeks of pressure and backlash from union leaders, parents and other taxpayers who demanded that a breakdown of the costs be made public. 

CBC News had requested a detailed cost breakdown of the trip since the London Free Press first reported about it on Aug. 27.

Thames Valley District School Board Chair Beth Mai said in a news release on Saturday that the board is pleased to have the province conduct an audit of its accounts.

"The Board has every confidence that Interim Director Bill Tucker will share the work that he is leading at the Board's direction around accountability and transparency to the community as we prioritize student achievement and well-being," said Mai.

Mai was unavailable for an interview on Sunday. In a text message, she said she is "looking forward to meeting with Deputy Minister [Shannon] Fuller early this week to work together on next steps."

Mary Henry, president of CUPE Local 4222, which represents secretaries, custodians and early childhood educators, said the trip cost more than one of its member's pay for an entire year. 

"I find it extremely excessive. That dollar amount could have been used on so many different levels to help the students," Henry said in an interview on Thursday. 

Mark Fisher, the board's director of education, took a paid leave of absence last week and sources previously told CBC News his leave is directly related to the trip and its fallout. Retired director of education Bill Tucker was named as Fisher's interim replacement. 

On Thursday, Mai acknowledged that there's been a hit to public confidence in the school board and said the incident was a learning experience that will not happen again. 

Mai said moving forward, Tucker will personally review all future expenses to ensure they comply with a policy passed in June that says all trips "must be reviewed to ensure cost effectiveness and alignment with TVDSB's strategic plan."