After a public outcry from parents and trustees, a Toronto District School Board (TDSB) professional development event slated to take place at the Air Canada Centre has had its original $345,000 price tag cut to less than half that amount.
The board had originally approved the $345,000 budget for director of education Chris Spence to spend as he saw fit. The plan that resulted was a full-day event for TDSB staff at the Air Canada Centre on Sept. 1, complete with inspirational speakers, musical acts and about $200,000 worth of commemorative booklets.When details of the event's finances were made public, many trustees were shocked to see such expenditures while they were simultaneously asking parents to understand the need to close schools due to lack of funding.At the Wednesday, March 10, meeting of the board, Spence announced that he had reduced the event's budget to $122,000, but not without significant cuts to the event's programming."Given the challenges we have had, I feel the day will be just as effective," said Spence. "On professional development days we take the opportunity to learn and that's still what we are going to do."Despite cutting the budget and making it a half-day event instead of a full-day, Spence still faced criticism from trustees. The board was divided on the best was to conduct professional development events and if they should spend money on them at all.Trustee Josh Matlow is bringing a motion to next month's meeting suggesting that spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on renting an arena is inappropriate for a school board that is crying poor while also throwing lavish events for staff. If his motion passes, the event would be cancelled completely. Matlow is also curious as to what will happen to the remaining $223,000 authorized for the event but unaccounted for in the current budget.Other trustees think such an event is critical in bringing together staff and making sure everyone is on the same page."It saddens me that what was a really remarkable proposal has been cut in half, I just hope it won't be only half as effective," said trustee Sheila Cary-Meagher.Trustee Stephnie Payne was heard remarking she was concerned, "that you're hosting a big party and nobody is coming."The event will continue to face scrutiny in next month's meeting.