Ontario School Trustees Express Deep Regret Over $145K Italy Trip, Promise to Repay Expenses
Recently, a group of Ontario Catholic school trustees found themselves under fire after revelations about a summer trip to Italy that cost the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB) $145,000. The purpose of the trip was to purchase religious artwork for a new high school, but the backlash has been swift, with both public and governmental criticism mounting.
The trustees, including board chair Rick Petrella, have publicly apologized, acknowledging that the trip was a misstep. According to Petrella, while the trip was intended to support the Catholic identity of the new schools, the trustees now realize that the decision to spend public funds in this manner was ill-advised. Petrella emphasized that the trustees, himself included, have agreed to repay all expenses incurred during the trip.
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The controversy stems from the purchase of religious statues, including life-sized depictions of St. Padre Pio and the Virgin Mary, aimed at making the new school, set to open in 2026, a "flagship" institution. A bust of Pope Francis was also acquired for another school slated to open in 2025. Despite the board’s claim that the artwork was an investment in the schools' Catholic heritage, many have expressed outrage over the use of taxpayer dollars for such extravagant expenses.
The Ontario Education Minister, Jill Dunlop, was among those who condemned the trip, calling it a serious misuse of public funds. She made it clear that education funding is meant to enhance student achievement and support teachers, not to fund international trips. Dunlop has asked the Ministry of Education to investigate the incident, highlighting the need for school boards to manage taxpayer money responsibly, regardless of surplus or deficit conditions.
The trustees defended their decision by citing the board’s $33-million surplus and claimed that the trip allowed them to secure better prices for the statues. However, the optics of spending such a significant sum on artwork, especially with ongoing budget concerns in Ontario schools, has led to calls for more stringent oversight of school board expenses. The BHNCDSB has also pledged to review its expense policies to prevent similar issues in the future.
In the wake of the backlash, the trustees are taking steps to redirect funds toward student support initiatives, including enhancing health and safety training for staff and expanding school breakfast programs. Despite their apology, this incident has raised broader questions about how school boards allocate resources and how they can ensure that their spending aligns with the needs of students and the community.
As the trustees work to rebuild trust, the Ministry's investigation is expected to provide further scrutiny of the board's financial practices, with the hope that future decisions will prioritize educational needs over costly, symbolic gestures.
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