This summer, four trustees from the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board traveled to South Tyrol, a province in northeastern Italy known for its religious art.

The trip was intended to bring back pieces to decorate two schools opening over the next two years. The cost? $145,000.

Carlo Fortino, president of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic Teachers’ Association, said his initial reaction to the trip was that the expense was ‘unnecessary.’

While the trustees involved say they are paying back the travel expenses, the board is looking at other ways to cover the cost of the art and says it is allocating new funds for student needs.