Top administration turmoil continues at Thames Valley District School Board

Turmoil in the top ranks of the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) continues as three senior staffers have either taken leaves of absence or been fired in the last two days.

Katie Osborne, the superintendent of education and Cheryl Weedmark, the director of communications, are no longer with the board, and Linda Nicholls, the associate director, is on a leave of absence, Bill Tucker, the interim director of education, confirmed.

Tucker, who was the director of education from 2008 to 2013,was hired by the board after current director Mark Fisher took an abrupt leave of absence amid a travel scandal.

"I have two primary focuses the first is to increase the trust and transparency and reputation of the school board. We deal with public funds and that's always been front and centre in any decision I've made as a principal, superintendent or director of education," Tucker said.

"The second thing is, I am trying to find money to pump back into schools and still find a strategy to balance the budget. I am committed to finding money to pump into schools for supplies and services."

The TVDSB is currentlydealing with a $7.6 million budget deficit.

"Change starts at the top," said Tucker. "I'm committed to change and improving instructional practice through that change."

As trustees were trimming school trips and other budget items, the board was paying for flower-making workshops as part of their professional development and a trip to Toronto for off-site meetings.

The province said it will conduct a review of operational expenses and Tucker said he's in "constant discussions" with the deputy minister of education about developments and actions. "We welcome the assistance," Tucker said.

Weedmark's salary in 2023 was $135,118. Nicholls made $259,569, Osborne made $121,465, and Fisher made $326,291.