“It was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to read,” said official trustee Dianne Turner, who replaced the former trustees who were fired by education minister Mike Bernier.

“I became quite emotional having to read about the incidents described in the report,” she added.

The summary drew attention to one incident in particular which occurred when plans were announced to close 11 schools in the district and it became clear that a number of senior managers would be made redundant.

“I find the allegations that certain trustees 'threw the staff under the bus' an apt descriptor of the trustees' conduct,” lawyer and investigator Roslyn Goldner wrote.

“I accept the evidence that certain trustees' public attack of the work of senior staff related to the school closure process undermined and publicly embarrassed and humiliated the superintendent and the senior management team.”