News Release
December 6, 2011
For Immediate Release
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board elects Mario Pascucci chair
At the annual organizational meeting held Tuesday, December 6, trustees elected Mississauga Wards 1 & 3 trustee, Mario Pascucci as chair of the 11-member Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. During his 28 years as a trustee, Mr. Pascucci has served in various leadership capacities, including one previous term as chair of the board, chair of Administration and Finance Committee, Audit, and Faith and Program Committees.
Linda Zanella, trustee for Brampton West, Wards 2, 5 & 6 was elected vice-chair. Ms. Zanella has also served in various leadership capacities in the past including chair and vice chair of the Faith and Program Committee, chair of the Policy and By-Laws Committee and Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and vice chair of the Administration and Finance Committee.
“Dufferin-Peel is seen across the province as a leader in Catholic education and this is due, in no small part to the cohesiveness of the board and the collaborative efforts of trustees and staff,” said Mario Pascucci. “As chair, I look forward to continuing to share the good news of Catholic education whenever and wherever I can and to ensure that we, as a board, always strive to live up to the standard of excellence that is our hallmark.”
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.
Director Kostoff outlined a successful year, recounting a list of achievements and accomplishments including continuously increasing levels of student achievement, implementation of new policies and a sustained focus on the Catholic nature of Dufferin-Peel schools. “We have been successful because of the support of Catholic education by our parents and guardians, our clergy and our rate-payers, many of whom no longer have children in our system but believe strongly in the value of what a distinctive Catholic education offers,” he said. “Combine this strong level of community engagement with a focused and committed team of faculty, staff, administrators, senior management and trustees and you have a formula for success.”
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 85,000 students in 146 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 and Catholic schools in Peel Region and Dufferin County, visit Dufferin-Peel online at www.dpcdsb.org
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Media Contact:
Bruce Campbell, General Manager, Communications & Community Relations
(905) 890-0708, ext. 24466 or (905) 609-1480