TVDSB union head lauds new direction [Video]

The head of the union representing thousands of teachers believes the embattled Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is “moving in the right direction.”

“I think there’s hope”, said Craig Smith, the president of the Thames Valley local of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario.

Smith said that he is encouraged by the leadership of interim TVDSB director Bill Tucker.

Tucker replaced Mark Fisher, who went on a paid leave of absence last month following an outcry over a $38,000 three-day executive retreat to Toronto.

A provincial audit into the finances of the board was announced soon after.

 Smith agreed the discovery was the breaking point for many of his members.

Eighteen Senior executives from the Thames Valley District School Board spent two nights at the Toronto Marriott hotel for a retreat in August 2024. (Source: Toronto Marriot City Centre)

“Is it symbolic of a step in the right direction? Absolutely. And if this is the path that we’re going down, then I think that is a …