The Avon Maitland District School Board has had a change of heart.
In a statement issued today Director of Education Ted Doherty says Rick Boon “will not be directed to attend work next week.”
Doherty says this comes after learning late yesterday that Boon was looking to exercise rights to a personal leave of absence under the Employment Standards Act.
He adds that while Boon is not being given a leave of absence if he does choose to go to the Netherlands they’ll “sort out the legalities following his return”. Boon won’t face disciplinary action if he does go.
He had originally asked for the time off so that he and his Second World War veteran father Art could attend the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from the Nazis.
Stratford singer Loreena McKennitt says she’s “grateful” for the decision. She had spearheaded the initiative to get the original denial changed.
Photo: Avon Maitland District School Board Director of Education Ted Doherty