All four local school boards recently elected their leadership for the next year.
At the organizational meeting for Rainbow District School Board held Dec. 8, Doreen Dewar was acclaimed chair of the board for another term, and Dena Morrison acclaimed vice-chair for another term.
Membership on board standing committees was also approved.
Dewar is the longest serving trustee on the board, with over 32 years experience, including nine years on the Sudbury Board of Education, said a press release from the school board.
“I consider serving as chair of the Rainbow Board an honour and a privilege,” she said. “I enjoy working with trustees, staff, parents/guardians, community partners and, most importantly, students who bring us all tremendous pride and make my role immensely rewarding.
"Student well-being and achievement continues to guide us as we nurture physical, mental, social and emotional wellness, the foundation for academic success,” she said. “I am proud of our students, families and staff for their ongoing resiliency in these unusual times.”
Morrison has been a trustee since 1998. She has served as vice-chair of the board for the past nine years, and continues in that role. She also served as vice-chair in 2003. From 2004 to 2008, she served as chair of the board.
“Reaching minds and touching hearts continues to be the cornerstone of who we are and what we do in Rainbow Schools,” said Morrison. “It is a privilege to contribute to this important mission.”
Sudbury Catholic District School Board elected its chair and vice-chair on Dec. 1.
Michael Bellmore was elected board chair and Ray Desjardins elected vice-chair.
Both Bellmore and Desjardins have served in their roles for five years. They were first acclaimed in 2015.
“I am proud to be re-elected as board chair,” said Bellmore. “I thank my fellow trustees for entrusting me with this role and look forward to working alongside them and our senior administration team as we navigate this unique school year and work collaboratively in the best interest of all of our students.”
“I thank my fellow trustees for re-electing me as vice chair,” said Desjardins. “I take great pride in serving alongside each of them and look forward to our continued work.”
On Dec. 5, Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon school trustees re-elected André Bidal as president for the 2020-2021 school year. Suzanne Salituri was elected to serve as vice-president for the same term.
“I take great pride in being selected to once again represent the CSC Nouvelon,” said Bidal.
“Our vision statement, Thriving French-language Catholic students, proud and ready to take their place in society (Des élèves épanouis fiers d’être catholiques et francophones, prêts à prendre leur place dans la société), clearly expresses our mandate and reminds us of the added value provided by a French-language Catholic education.
“With the support of a great team of trustees, I am committed to pursuing the outstanding work accomplished to ensure a high quality of education for students in all CSC Nouvelon schools.”
Paul Henry, director of education and secretary-treasurer at CSC Nouvelon, expressed his satisfaction the board will benefit from the leadership, commitment and expertise of Bidal and Salituri.
“These two leaders have been devoted school trustees for several years now,” he said. “Their exceptional leadership abilities and passion for French-language Catholic education will serve them well as they lead our board. They will be steadfast in representing the interests of our Catholic supporters at the local, provincial and national levels.”
On Dec. 2, Conseil scolaire public du Grand Nord de l’Ontario trustees elected Anne-Marie Gélineault as board chairperson and Francine Vaillancourt as board vice-chairperson.
Gélineault is at her fourth mandate as a CSPGNO trustee and has been vice-chairperson since 2016. As board trustee, Gélineault has played an active role on several Board committees such as the Ad hoc committee –Director of Education Evaluation and the Audit committee.
Gélineault has also served as Chair on the Finance and Plant committee and represented the Board at the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones (FNCSF) and the Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l’Ontario (ACEPO).
Gélineault is very happy to pursue her work in the board’s priority areas to ensure that all students experience a learning environment that is welcoming, innovative and open to the world, said a press release.
Vaillancourt has worked in the education field for over 30 years as a teacher, a pedagogical counsellor and a leader in improving student achievement.
She has been a board trustee with CSPGNO since 2018, and is in her first mandate. As trustee, Vaillancourt represents the Board at the Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l’Ontario (ACEPO) and has played an active role on board committees such as Education committee, Human Resources committee and Special Education Advisory committee.
Vaillancourt is delighted to be able to work with enthusiastic trustees who are dedicated to providing all students with a learning experience that is second to none, the press release said.
