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It was the first public statement from either Farahi or the company since the documents connecting him to the creation of and payment for the websites were made public last week.

School board chair Arlene Morrell refused to answer questions about Skinner on Tuesday night.

“Trustees are aware. We are watching the situation closely, but in terms of being able to comment on that situation, I am just asking that the focus tonight be on our job, and that is how best to support student needs,” she told The Free Press.

Despite chairing the school board’s planning and priorities advisory committee – the budget falls under its purview – Skinner did not show up to the Dundas Street board of education for the budget meeting.

He could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

The budget documents include a message from Skinner, as chair of the planning and priorities advisory committee, saying he is “pleased to lead the board through this process.”

Tuesday night’s special budget session marked the first of three meetings to discuss the school board’s 2019-2020 budget, with a deficit projected at $4.6 million. After a presentation, trustees quizzed board administration for about an hour and a half on everything from the financial impact of portables to the reshuffling of educational assistants.

But no decisions were made Tuesday.

Next, the board meets on June 11 for a public session to collect input on the budget. Morrell said the board is on track for budget approval at a June 18 meeting, as expected.

mstacey@postmedia.com

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