Mark Fisher resigns as public school board education director after months on paid leave

Mark Fisher, the public school board director of education who has been on paid leave since September after coming under fire for a Toronto retreat for senior leaders, has resigned his position with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB). 

Also, as of Thursday, associate director Linda Nicholls is also "no longer employed by TVDSB," officials said on the school board website. 

"I remain focused on the health and wellbeing and the education of all the students in the system," interim director Bill Tucker told CBC News. He came out of retirement in September after Fisher went on leave when the Toronto trip came to light. 

The high-profile departures are the latest in a flurry of exits that started as the school year got under way and continued this week. 

As of Monday, school board lawyer Ali Chahbar went on a paid leave, as did Andrew Canham, a superintendent who'd previously served as an associate director of education. 

Combined, Chahbar, Canham, Fisher and Nicholls have annual salaries equalling just over $1 million. 

Canham took over for associate director Riley Culhane when Culhane left for a different job in August. In October, Canahm moved back to his previous position of superintendent of education. 

Fisher and Nicholls' departures come months after a London Free Press report about a senior leadership retreat to Toronto, during which executives stayed in the hotel overlooking the field where the Blue Jays play.

Soon after, provincial education ministry is overseeing an audit of the board, which is facing an $16-million deficit. 

"School boards must prioritize getting that funding into classrooms to help students and better equip teachers," the education minister said at the time.

"That means showing parents, teachers, and community members that they are responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. This is just common sense."

The Toronto trip came after members of the communications team held a team-building outing in May 2024 that included a flower arranging workshop and birthday celebration for manager Cheryl Weedmark, who left the school board shortly after a CBC News story revealing the retreat. 

Weedmark and human resources superintendent Katie Osborne left the school board in October 2024. 

Budget woes

The Thames Valley District School Board, the region's largest, has a $16 million deficit, almost double what staff originally calculated because fewer students registered with the board, and provincial funding is tied directly to the number of students enrolled. 

That led to cuts to teaching and support staff positions as well as special education and field trips. 

Beth Mai, the chair of the board of trustees, is also on a leave as of today. She cited health reasons when she announced her leave, and clarified "I wish to declare that I am not subject to any investigations or inquiries related to my conduct or my role at the TVDSB." 

Vice chair Dave Cripps takes over the chair in Mai's absence. He did not respond to a request for comment about the Fisher and Nicholls' departures.