Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board trustee Mark Watson (pictured) stepped down today following significant backlash after his failure to repay his portion of a trip to Italy paid for by the board last year.
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra earlier this week tabled a bill to both remove trustee Watson from the board and prevent him from running again. Calandra said the trustee had not repaid the $12,370 he owes from the trip where Watson and two other board members spent $145,000 to travel and buy art for a new school. The Ministry reported Watson repaid $1,216.71 by March 6 and had agreed to continue making payments until May 2028, when the total $12,370 is paid, but had stopped making payments.
“We respect Trustee Watson’s decision to step down from the Board and will move forward, collaboratively, with a continued focus on teaching and learning, student well-being, and the strategic priorities that guide our Catholic school system,” said BHNCDSB board chair Carol Luciani, in a statement. “Trustee Watson’s resignation will take effect upon approval at the Meeting of the Board on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at which time a decision on how to fill the vacancy will also be made.”
