October 14-18, 2024, has been designated by the province as Local Government Week, aimed at increasing youth and public awareness of the essential role local governments play in our communities.
This week presents a wonderful opportunity for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) to recognize and celebrate the distinct and vital service provided by our locally elected Catholic School Trustees.
Being a Catholic School Trustee is a vocation of service. As Cardinal G. Emmett Carter stated in The Challenge of Trusteeship, “He or she who seeks the office of trustee is seeking an honourable office.”
Catholic school trustees serve as the democratically elected representatives of the Catholic community, advocating for and safeguarding publicly funded Catholic education. Their role has increasingly become an essential part of the teaching ministry of the Church. This week is a platform to highlight their commitment and to celebrate the lasting gift of Catholic education.
Catholic School Trustees
• Catholic trustees hold the oldest form of elected representation in Ontario.
• The first Catholic school in Ontario was established in Glengarry County in 1826.
• Catholic school trustees are the only publicly elected officials responsible for overseeing the education of students in Ontario’s publicly funded Catholic schools.
A Distinctive Focus
Catholic trustees:
• Envision education that is Christ-centered.
• Are committed to educating students in the Catholic faith tradition.
• Collaborate with all education partners for the betterment of all students.
• Know their service is an investment in the future leadership of our communities, schools, country, and Church.
Catholic School Board Responsibilities
• Establish the board’s vision, mission, and goals.
• Develop policies that protect and promote the Catholic community’s constitutional right to govern its schools.
• Set and monitor the annual budget.
• Oversee HWCDSB’s multi-year strategic plan.
• Select the Director of Education and senior staff.
• Communicate the board’s decisions to constituents.
• Represent the school board to the Catholic community.
• Uphold the implementation of board resolutions.
Elected Representation
Catholic Trustees are elected every four years during municipal and school board elections.
HWCDSB has 9 elected trustees representing 56 schools across 15 wards in Hamilton.
HWCDSB Board of Trustees 2024-2025
• Ward 1, 2 & 15: Mark Valvasori
• Ward 3 & 4: Josie Angelini
• Ward 5: Aldo D'Intino
• Ward 6: Ellen Agostino
• Ward 7: Patrick J. Daly
• Ward 8 & 14: John Valvasori
• Ward 9 & 11: Louis Agro
• Ward 10: Mary Nardini
• Ward 12 & 13: Phil Homerski
Catholic Trustees are stewards, advocates, servant leaders, and political representatives of Catholic education in Ontario.
