Catholic school board trustees apologize after buying $100K in religious art on publicly funded Italy trip

The chair of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB) apologized Thursday for a trip he and three other trustees took to Italy this summer to buy religious art for two new schools — a move that earned a rebuke from Ontario's education minister.

Rick Petrella and the other trustees went to South Tyrol in July and bought $100,000 in custom art on behalf of the board.

The art included statues of St. Padre Pio and the Virgin Mary, a large crucifix, sculptures depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross and a bust of Pope Francis, the Brantford Expositor reported on Tuesday, noting the trip itself cost $45,000.

In a statement provided to CBC News on Thursday, Petrella expressed "regret" about the trip, acknowledging the "optics and actions of this trip were not favourable." He said the trustees who took the trip have agreed to repay their expenses to the board and are "exploring other non-board funding options to help offset the costs" of the religious statues.

"We have heard the concerns of our parents, students, staff and stakeholders, and we recognize the need to further invest in our system. As a result, we have decided to allocate additional funds forthwith to support student needs," said the statement. It also listed de-escalation training for teaching and support staff, additional resources and staffing for the safe and healthy schools programs, and improvements to school breakfast programs in the district among the new priorities.

Petrella also promised the board would review its expense policies to ensure they align with Ontario government policies.

"Although [the trip] was undertaken in good faith to promote our Catholic identity and to do something special for our two new schools, we acknowledge that it was not the best course of action," Petrella said.

The apology followed comments Wednesday from Education Minister Jill Dunlop, who rebuked the board's "serious lack of fiscal responsibility and judgment."

"The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board not only failed students and parents, but the community," she said. "School boards are expected to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, whether in a deficit or surplus situation. I take this issue seriously and I have asked my ministry to explore all options available to investigate this matter."

The board's budget documents also show it had an accumulated surplus of more than $33 million as of this summer.

"Our board has a long history of fiscal responsibility and therefore can meet our strategic goals while maintaining a balanced budget, and this year that trend continues," stated Petrella in July after the budget was approved.

Union 'deeply concerned'

Meanwhile, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation (OSSTF) said it's "deeply concerned" about the board's reported expenditure on "extravagant travel and artwork."

Carlee Bond, the union District 23 president, said while the trustees have pledged to repay all the expenses incurred to the board, "I must express mine and my members' dismay at the trustees' spending."

According to Bond, the spending was done at the same time when educational assistants were being laid off and members were struggling financially.

"I hope the board will re-evaluate that healthy surplus that Mr. Petrella noted, to ensure our students, staff, and schools are well supported," Bond said.

The art in question is destined for St. Padre Pio Catholic Secondary School in Brantford (to open in 2026, according to board documents) and Pope Francis Catholic Elementary School in Caledonia (to open in September 2025). The board describes both as "state-of-the-art learning spaces."