BradfordToday and InnisfilToday welcome letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication).
The media in London, Ont., reported on Aug. 27 that Thames Valley District School Board executives are facing criticism after roughly 18 senior staff members stayed at the Toronto Blue Jays stadium hotel amid a $7.6-million budget deficit.
Rooms at the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel, located inside the baseball stadium, range from $374 to $1,199 per night, according to hotel staff.
Education director Mark Fisher said the retreat is “an industry standard” for all Ontario school boards.
Mr. Fisher’s comment should be upsetting to all Ontario taxpayers. Could the senior staff of Ontario school boards hold their meetings at board locations, local recreation centres or even Catholic church halls (for the Catholic boards)?
Do the senior staff have to have overnight retreats in expensive hotels or at five-star resorts?
The money that these school board leaders are spending could be better spent on hiring more teachers as Ontario is facing a teacher shortage. More money could be spent on special education or perhaps smaller class sizes for the students.
Jill Dunlop is the new minister of education. Please contact her by going to jilldunlopmpp.ca/contact. Let her know that it is time to stop this reckless spending in Ontario education.
Kyle Tilley
Barrie