Catholic board makes changes to trustee expense policy

In the midst of controversy over spending $145,000 on a trip to Italy, changes have been made to the rules governing expenses incurred by trustees at the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.

Article content

The Ministry of Education is conducting a governance review of the board after four trustees spent $45,000 to travel to Italy for a week in July to meet with artists and purchase $100,000 worth of art pieces for the chapel at St. Padre Pio Secondary School, which is under construction on Powerline Road in Brantford.

The trip to Italy came about a month after the board approved changes to its trustee expense policy.

A report to the board in June, prepared by director of education Mike McDonald, said the changes were suggested by board chair Rick Petrella. Among the changes were a bump from economy/coach class to business class for air travel outside North America if the destination is more than six hours away, allowance of charges above the standard hotel room rate, elimination of maximum rates for meals, and allowance of claims of alcohol in some cases.

Article content

Following public outcry about the spending, Petrella, who traveled to Italy with three other trustees – Dan Dignard, Bill Chopp and Mark Watson – said in a statement that trustees “deeply regret the events that have taken place” and promised they won’t happen again.

Petrella also promised swift changes to the board’s trustee expense policy, “ensuring that it is fully aligned with the Ontario Broader Public Sector Expense Directive.” Those changes were approved at a special board meeting this week.

Among the changes:

• Pre-approval of travel within North America was switched from the board chair to the board of trustees.

• International travel must be pre-approved by the Minister of Education.

• Travel in business class or higher is no longer permitted.

Article content

• Valet parking is no longer refundable.

• Reimbursement for hotel suites, executive floors or concierge levels is not permitted. Approval for charges above the standard room rate for exceptional circumstances has been changed from the board chair to the treasurer of the board or designate.

• Meal rates in Canada are set at $10 for breakfast, $12.50 for lunch and $22.50 for dinner.

• Under no circumstances alcohol can be claimed or reimbursed. Previously, the board chair could approve alcohol expenses, in some cases.

In the meantime, Petrella said donations are being collected to pay for artwork purchased in Italy, which include life-sized, hand-painted wood statues of St. Padre Peio and the Virgin Mary, a large crucifix and sculptures depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross, which in an earlier interview with The Expositor, he said are part of the plan to make the new secondary school a “flagship” for the board. A single piece of art was also purchased for the new Catholic elementary school under construction in Caledonia.

Article content

Ontario Premier Doug Ford recently weighed in on scandals involving various school boards. At a news conference where he announced changes to how medical schools accept students, Ford was questioned by a reporter about whether the province should scrap the school board model.

“They frustrate me,” Ford said. “Do you believe that the Brant County school board trustees go out there and decide to go on a fancy trip to Italy? They spent $45,000 of taxpayers’ money. Guess why they’re going? To buy $100,000 worth of artwork in Italy for their school.

“It’s like the cheese slipped off the cracker with these guys. Like I just don’t get it. Common sense.”

Ford also made reference to the cash-strapped Thames Valley District school board in London spending nearly $40,000 to send 18 administrators on a three-day retreat in August at the Toronto Blue Jays stadium hotel amid a $7.6-million budget deficit that has prompted deep cuts, including to funding for kids’ field trips.

The Premier also blasted a decision by County of Simcoe councilors to increase their salaries over the next three years from $18,000 to $47,000.

“The stories go on and on and on,” Ford said. “That’s why I directed our minister of education to start doing audits on these school boards that are first to scream that they need more money and they’re out partying and acting like a bunch of yahoos.

“Unacceptable. You’re elected. You have to respect the taxpayers’ money.”

Article content