Brant Catholic school board trustee on leave after Italy trip fiasco

Rick Petrella – the former chair of Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board – is on an unpaid leave of absence following a publicly funded trip to Italy that racked up a $150,000 bill.

The longtime trustee has been under intense scrutiny since news of the July 2024 trip broke, but it is unclear whether that is connected to his absence.

Petrella was joined in Italy by trustees Dan Dignard, Bill Chopp and Mark Watson, who purchased $100,000 worth of religious artwork for a new high school in Brantford.

Also in the trip expenses was a $1,600 dinner at a gourmet hotel and spa. Without factoring in the cost of the artwork, the trip cost just over $50,000.

Following public outcry, the four trustees promised to pay back the expenses.

The school board has since spent over $60,000 on legal advice related to the trip.

READ MORE: Brantford-area teachers’ union calls for trustees to resign after Italy trip backlash