Toronto District School Board chair Chris Bolton abruptly resigned as chair and school trustee for Trinity-Spadina Friday afternoon, citing personal reasons.
In an exclusive interview with CTV Toronto’s Naomi Parness and the Toronto Star, Bolton said he was stepping down to focus on other endeavours.
“Right now I need to narrow things down and start to think about where to make my commitments,” he said Friday afternoon.
His resignation comes months after media reports linked Bolton to a series of scandals within the board, including allegations of acrimony between board members and school trustee Howard Goodman.
Matters became so tense back in March, that Bolton brought off-duty police officers to a TDSB meeting.
Bolton said his decision had nothing to do with issues related to the board.
“Nothing related to the activities of the school board as it stands at this point,” he said.
In a letter released Friday afternoon, Bolton said his resignation was based on “personal reasons” but would not provide any further details.
“I am proud to have been a part of the last 11 years. But it is time right now to take some personal time to re-evaluate futures.” Bolton added.
TDSB Director of Education Donna Quan said she was shocked by Bolton’s decision and spent several hours trying to convince him to stay until the end of his term.
“It did come as a shock to me, we did have a good two hours of discussion on this matter and he felt it was the right time,” Quan told CTV Toronto Friday afternoon.
Bolton’s colleague Sheila Cary Meagher said she believed Bolton was forced out by fellow board trustees who are on a “witchhunt.”
“I think he might have just gotten tired of the constant aggressive criticism of his behaviour,” she told CTV Toronto.
Bolton, who is a trustee for Trinity-Spadina, had already announced his plans not to run in upcoming elections but didn’t rule out running for another level of government in the future.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Naomi Parness
