Ontario School Board Trustees Face Backlash Over $100K Religious Art Purchase During Italy Trip

Trustees from an Ontario school board are facing criticism for a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they spent over $100,000 on religious statues and a large crucifix for two new Catholic schools.

Rick Petrella, chair of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board, explained that the trustees purchased a statue of St. Padre Pio, a statue of the Virgin Mary, sculptures representing the 14 Stations of the Cross, and commissioned a large crucifix for St. Padre Pio Catholic Secondary School in Brantford, Ontario. They also acquired a bust of Pope Francis for the upcoming Pope Francis Catholic Elementary School in Caledonia, Ontario.

Petrella clarified that the funds for these purchases would come from the school board’s budget surplus, and they are now exploring other fundraising options to help offset the costs.

The trustees’ travel expenses, Petrella added, were covered by the trustee honoraria and expense budget.

Carlo Fortino, president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, expressed concern about the trip. “At first glance, this seemed like an unnecessary expense. While I understand the desire to enhance the Catholic identity of a new school, sending four trustees to Italy for this purpose was not required.”

Petrella, who has served on the school board for ten terms, acknowledged the criticism. In a statement, he said: “The board of trustees expresses regret regarding the events surrounding the trip to Italy. We understand that the optics and actions were not favorable, and though the trip was undertaken with the intention of promoting our Catholic identity and doing something special for our new schools, it was not the best course of action.”

The statement continued: “We take full responsibility and are committed to addressing the situation. Each trustee, including myself, who participated in the trip has agreed to reimburse all expenses incurred.”

Some believe the money could have been better spent on student support.

“How much of that money could have been used in more impactful ways to address student needs?” Fortino asked. “For instance, it could have been used to hire an additional Early Childhood Educator to assist with managing large kindergarten classes, or to provide more Educational Assistants to address the mental health and behavioral crises we’re facing post-COVID.”

What’s next?

Petrella assured that school board trustees will take concrete steps moving forward.

“We have listened to the concerns from our parents, students, staff, and stakeholders, and we recognize the importance of reinvesting in our education system,” he said. “As a result, we have decided to allocate additional funds immediately to support student needs.”

According to the board chair, these efforts will include “enhancing health and safety de-escalation training for teaching and support staff, providing additional resources and personnel for our safe and healthy schools program, and improving the district’s school breakfast programs.”

Petrella did not specify where the funding for these initiatives would come from.

He also stated that trustees would be reviewing their expense policies at the “earliest opportunity.”

Carlo Fortino welcomed the apology and the trustees’ commitment to repay the costs but remained critical of the initial decision to take the trip.

“I appreciate the apology and the promise to reimburse the expenses,” Fortino said. “But frankly, it’s the least they could do. There are far more pressing priorities right now than a statue in a school.”