Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
News Release
December 2, 2008
For Immediate Release
Mario Pascucci elected Dufferin-Peel chair
Anna Abbruscato re-elected vice chair
At its inaugural meeting held tonight at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s Catholic Education Centre, trustees elected long-time Mississauga Wards 1 & 3 trustee, Mario Pascucci as chair of the 11-member board. Mr. Pascucci was first elected to the board in 1978 and during his 26 years as trustee, has served in leadership capacities on various board committees.
Mississauga Ward 4 trustee Anna Abbruscato was re-elected vice-chair. Anna Abbruscato also has extensive leadership experience on the board, having served 14 years as a trustee including previous terms as vice chair.
A graduate of York University with a Masters degree in Education from Nipissing University, and a Mississauga resident for over 35 years, Mario Pascucci is founder and president of a marketing corporation that specializes in representing food companies, and importing and distributing collectible fine gifts from Europe.
He succeeds Bruno Iannicca, and assumes the chair’s position during a period of stability for the board, which has recently signed new four-year contracts with all of its employee groups.
"Our role as trustees is to be guardians of Catholic education in our community", said Mario Pascucci. "As chair, I see this as a "Job One" type priority and will do my very best to ensure that Catholic education in Dufferin-Peel remains strong and viable, not only in the short term, but for generations to come."
The board also elected the chairs and vice chairs of its five standing committees and its representative on the Transportation Consortium:
Administration & Finance Committee – Joyce Anderson (chair), Luz del Rosario (vice chair)
Faith & Program Committee - Sharon Hobin (chair), Tony da Silva (vice chair)
Audit Committee – Thomas Thomas (chair), Linda Zanella (vice chair)
By-Law & Policy Review Committee – Thomas Thomas (chair), Luz del Rosario (vice chair)
Contract Negotiations Committee – Esther O’Toole (chair), Frank Di Cosola (vice chair)
Transportation Consortium – Linda Zanella
The meeting opened with the annual address to the board by the Director of Education. Director John Kostoff recognized and thanked system partners, including employee groups, trustees and staff at all levels for their commitment and dedication to Catholic education.
Kostoff outlined a year in which the board solidified its financial footing, and positioned itself well for the future. Said Kostoff, "I am gratified to witness the committed support of faculty, staff, parents/guardians, parish priests and our local Bishop working together to help us deliver our promise to students and families…a promise of excellence in Catholic education."
The meeting was preceded by a Eucharistic celebration held in the Catholic Education Centre chapel, celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop John Boissonneau.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of the largest school boards in Ontario with approximately 88,000 students in 145 schools located throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville. The board is also one of the largest employers in the region with approximately 10,000 employees.
For more information about the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, go to Dufferin-Peel online at www.dpcdsb.org
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Contact:
Bruce Campbell, General Manager-Communications & Community Relations
(905) 890-0708, ext. 24466 or (905) 609-1480