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Chris Spence Resigns from TDSB After Multiple Cases of Plagiarism Surface
TDSB chair Chris Bolton announces Spence's resignation in the wake of growing plagiarism controversy.
TDSB education director Chris Spence. Photo courtesy of {a href="http://www.facebook.com/toronto.dsb"}TDSB's Facebook page{/a}.
Earlier this week Chris Spence, the Toronto District School Board’s director of education, confessed that he had plagiarized portions of an opinion piece he wrote for the Toronto Star. Since then several more worrisome instances of plagiarism in his writing have emerged. The TDSB trustees were scheduled to meet soon to discuss how to handle the situation, but we have just learned that Spence has pre-emptively resigned.
The full text Spence’s resignation letter, and of TDSB chair Chris Bolton’s statement:
From Spence—
It is with great sadness and regret that I am writing to tender my resignation as Director of Education for the Toronto District School Board.
I have come to this decision after a great deal of reflection, and no small amount of consultation with family, friends and colleagues. I do so with a profoundly heavy heart.
My life’s work has been education, and the education of young people. More than anything else, I regret that I have not set a good or proper example for the many thousands of young people I’ve been privileged to meet and know.
I intend to continue to do the things I pledged to do – to restore my reputation, and to uphold the academic integrity I consider to be so important. But most importantly, to make amends for what I have done.
I do not wish to be a further distraction to the Trustees, or my many friends and colleagues at the Toronto District School Board. I therefore submit my letter of resignation and, once again, offer my sincerest apologies.
From Bolton—
Today, I have accepted the resignation of Director of Education Chris Spence from his position with the Toronto District School Board. This resignation is effective immediately.
Given the unexpected nature of this situation, we are taking steps to appoint an interim Director to ensure stability across the system.
As soon as information is available, staff, students and their families will be informed of any further developments.
Thank you.
Chris Bolton, Chair
Toronto District School Board
Spence has also retained the services of communications firm Daisy Consulting Group.