TVDSB Cites Security Concerns to Keep Art Collection Details Secret

The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is facing renewed criticism for transparency issues after invoking a rare secrecy provision to withhold records concerning its $30,000+ fine art collection.

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While the board released a partial inventory of its 84-piece collection to CBC News via a freedom of information request, it heavily redacted specific details, citing a clause in the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act usually reserved for protecting the security of buildings or property.

The Mystery of the Collection

The board’s refusal to provide a full accounting of its assets has raised eyebrows among taxpayers and art historians alike.

• Valuation Concerns: The board values the collection at $30,445, but this figure is based on a 2012 appraisal. Given that the collection includes works by Frank Johnston (a member of the Group of Seven) and renowned Ojibwe artist Benjamin Chee Chee, critics suggest the current market value could be significantly higher.
• Redacted Details: The board withheld the titles of the paintings and their specific locations within school facilities, arguing that releasing this information could lead to theft or vandalism.
• Historical Significance: Other notable artists identified in the logs include Manly MacDonald.

Why This Matters Now

The lack of transparency is particularly sensitive because the TVDSB is currently under provincial supervision. The Ontario government took control of the board’s operations following a series of high-profile financial scandals, including:

1. The Toronto Retreat: Senior staff spent roughly $40,000 on a three-day planning retreat at the Rogers Centre hotel.
2. Structural Deficits: The board has been struggling with a multi-million dollar budget deficit while facing criticism for executive spending.
3. Inconsistency: Other Ontario boards with far more valuable collections—such as the Toronto District School Board, which owns a $1.5-million Tom Thomson—maintain public registries of their art, making TVDSB’s secrecy appear an outlier.

Summary Table: TVDSB vs. Transparency

Feature	TVDSB Disclosure	The Concern
Total Works	84 pieces	High potential for “hidden” value.
Appraised Value	$30,445	Based on 13-year-old data (2012).
Key Artists	Frank Johnston, Benjamin Chee Chee	Works by these artists often sell for thousands.
Justification	Security/Theft Risk	Used to redact titles and locations.