Mark Watson has stepped down as a trustee from the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board .

The Haldimand County trustee’s resignation comes just days after Education Minister Paul Calandra brought forward a bill on Monday to oust him.

Watson was one of four trustees who took a controversial $50,000 trip to Italy to purchase $100,000 in artwork for the board.

The three other trustees repaid their portion of trip expenses, but as of April, Watson had only repaid $1,216 of the $12,370 he agreed to. It’s unclear if he repaid additional funds since then.

“We respect Trustee Watson’s decision to step down from the Board and will move forward, collaboratively, with a continued focus on teaching and learning, student well-being, and the strategic priorities that guide our

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