by Kristin Rushowy, The Toronto Star

Trustee Josh Matlow won’t be censured for calling a $345,000 one-day conference planned by Toronto’s school board a “drunken spending binge.”

After an hour-long coffee on Thursday afternoon with Chair Bruce Davis, the two decided “that we are moving forward, and while we both recognize the need for respectful debate, we both recognize that we can’t allow anything to distract the board from its priorities,” Matlow said.

Matlow said he feels “very good that we were able to resolve this in a positive way.”

Davis had demanded a retraction and apology from Matlow for his comments, made to the Toronto Sun last week, by 4 p.m. Monday. When Matlow refused, Davis said he would request a censure, which is essentially a public chiding.

Davis told Matlow on Thursday he will withdraw that request.

Matlow had told the Sun last Wednesday that the cost of the one-day teacher professional development day was “insane.” The board had approved the new director’s $1.7 million “vision of hope” for the board’s future, which included $195,000 for delegates’ commemorative booklets.

“The TDSB has told parents they’re going to have to close schools and cut support staff and shut down youth-at-risk programs because they don’t have enough money. To turn around and go on a drunken spending binge is shameful,” Matlow told the Sun.

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