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The Ford administration is redirecting its focus on the upcoming bi-annual audits of school boards across Ontario to specifically assess the discretionary spending of senior officials, including trustees. This decision follows public outcry over a series of controversial expenditures, particularly concerning extravagant trips paid for by taxpayers.
School boards have recently come under fire for their use of public funds, including overseas trips and even outings to a Toronto Blue Jays game. Notably, trustees in the Brantford area incurred $45,000 in expenses for a trip to Italy, where expenditures reportedly included around $100,000 for artwork. A school board in London, Ontario, allocated approximately $40,000 for a retreat at a hotel near the Blue Jays stadium, while another southwestern Ontario board spent $32,000 to send three staff members to a conference in Hawaii, as reported by CBC.
Education Minister Jill Dunlop expressed her surprise over these findings, stating in an interview with Alex Pearson on AM 640 that the revelations were particularly shocking for her as a new minister. Dunlop emphasized her intention to have open discussions with education directors regarding any questionable discretionary spending before the audits commence.
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Last spring, the Ontario government passed the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, which included provisions for regular audits of school boards. Initially, these audits were intended to provide clarity on school board spending as a whole, allowing parents to see how public funds were utilized. However, the recent controversies have prompted an expanded focus on discretionary spending during these audits.
The Ministry of Education confirmed that the upcoming bi-annual audits will include a review of discretionary expenses. The specifics of the audit process are yet to be finalized, including the question of whether the audits will be financed by the provincial government or the individual school boards.
Dunlop reiterated that whether a school board is facing a deficit or has a surplus, funds should be directed towards classroom needs rather than on lavish trips. Premier Doug Ford also condemned the spending practices of the school boards, deeming them “unacceptable” during an unrelated event in October.
Ford remarked on the ongoing issues, which he had noticed, saying he instructed Dunlop to initiate audits of school boards. “We’re pouring money into school boards and they’re out partying and acting like a bunch of yahoos,” he stated on October 25th, reflecting the growing concern over fiscal responsibility within the educational sector.
Source
globalnews.ca