Minister's Ultimatum Rocks Toronto School Board: Trustee Faces Ousting Over Unpaid Italy Trip

A significant political showdown is unfolding within Ontario's education landscape, as the provincial government takes a decisive stand against a long-serving Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) trustee. Education Minister Stephen Lecce has issued a stern ultimatum to trustee Michael Del Grande: repay an outstanding debt of over $4,000 for a 2017 trip to Italy, or face immediate removal from his position.

The minister's move marks a rare and powerful intervention into the affairs of a local school board, underscoring a commitment to accountability and financial transparency.

The outstanding amount, specifically $4,073.34, stems from a professional development conference trip to Italy taken in 2017. While the original expense was $6,666.67, Del Grande had previously repaid a portion, leaving the current balance in dispute.

This isn't a new issue. The TCDSB has been attempting to recover these funds for years, even resorting to litigation to compel repayment.

Despite these efforts, the debt has remained on the books, prompting Minister Lecce to step in directly. In a letter dated February 20, Lecce gave Del Grande until February 26 to settle the debt, stating unequivocally that failure to comply would result in his dismissal under the authority granted by the Education Act.

Trustee Del Grande, however, is not backing down.

He has consistently argued that the trip was legitimate and fully authorized by the board at the time. Furthermore, he contends that the board itself owes him money from other past expenses, and he has vowed not to repay the Italy trip funds until his own claims are addressed and a comprehensive financial reconciliation is undertaken.

He views the minister's intervention as an overreach and maintains his innocence regarding any wrongdoing, asserting that the trip was for professional development and aligned with his duties.

The TCDSB, for its part, affirmed in 2023 that the outstanding balance was indeed Del Grande's responsibility.

The board has navigated a contentious relationship with the trustee, which has included previous controversies such as his strong opposition to gender identity policies and his proposals for significant staff cuts during budget debates. These past conflicts provide a backdrop to the current dispute, highlighting a pattern of disagreement and tension within the board's governance.

Minister Lecce's authority to remove a trustee is a significant power, reserved for situations where a trustee fails to comply with a direct order.

The gravity of this decision underscores the minister's determination to enforce financial accountability within public education. As the deadline looms, the future of Michael Del Grande's tenure as a TCDSB trustee hangs precariously in the balance, signalling a critical moment for governance and transparency in Ontario's school boards.