Dr. Spence introduced the idea last fall as part of this Vision of Hope, a sort of mission statement for Canada’s largest school board. Critics raised objections to the $345,000 price tag on what amounted to an educational pep rally, and trustee Josh Matlow was censured after he characterized it as a “drunken spending binge.”

The event was scaled down from full-day to a half-day, and hardcopy commemorative booklets were re-imagined in a digital format to bring the cost to taxpayers closer to $120,000.

But some critics remain concerned.

“This is a time when the board has deferred $30-million from [building] maintenance and we’re asking parents to support school closures because we don’t have funds,” said Mr. Matlow. “To turn around the next day and ask them to spend their money on a vanity affair is a slap in the face.”

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