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The Thames Valley District school board’s former education director will once again re-take the helm amid a shakeup at the top of the organization, officials announced on Tuesday.
One day after announcing Mark Fisher was taking a paid leave from the top post – amid the fallout from Free Press stories about a retreat by administrators with the cash-strapped board at the Toronto Blue Jays’ stadium hotel – Bill Tucker was named the interim education director.
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Tucker served in the job from 2008 until his retirement in 2013. In the spring, he retired after a stint teaching at Western University’s teachers college.
Fisher held the top job since September 2019.
Two weeks ago, The London Free Press reported that 18 board administrators attended a three-day retreat at the former SkyDome hotel, where rooms range from $374 to $1,199 a night, hotel staff say. The retreat was held from Aug. 19 to Aug. 21, and the Jays were playing at home on all three dates. The board has refused to make public the full cost of the trip.
Trustee Beth Mai, chair of the school board, called Tucker a “respected, knowledgeable and experienced leader” in education.
“His deep understanding of (the) TVDSB community will provide stability for the system and ensure that student achievement and well-being continue to be a key focus,” she said.
In a statement, Tucker said he will prioritize “supporting students, creating positive and inclusive learning and working environments, and advancing the board’s new strategic plan.”
Leading up to Fisher’s leave of absence, a series of closed-session school board meetings were held including one last Friday, Sept. 6, at 8 p.m. Another closed session was scheduled for Monday evening and a special audit meeting was slated for Tuesday morning.
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