Mississauga Ward 4 trustee

Anna Abbruscato

acclaimed chair of

Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board

At the annual organizational meeting held Tuesday, December 1 at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s Catholic Education Centre, trustees acclaimed long-time Mississauga Ward 4 trustee, Anna Abbruscato as chair of the 11-member board. Mrs. Abbruscato was first elected to the board in 1991 and has served in various leadership capacities, including three terms as vice chair of the board.

Mississauga Wards 2 & 8 trustee, Sharon Hobin, was elected vice-chair. Sharon Hobin is in her fourth year as a trustee and has served as Chair of the Faith and Program Committee, as well as Chair of the Strategic System Review Committee.

Anna Abbruscato succeeds Mario Pascucci, who was nominated for a second term but withdrew, leading to the acclamation. She assumes the chair’s position during a period of stability for the board.

“I am honoured and humbled by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me as chair of the board and will strive to work collaboratively with all stakeholders in the best interests of our students and Catholic education,” said Anna Abbruscato. “As chair, I welcome advice and suggestions from all constituents in Dufferin-Peel.”

Added Anna Abbruscato, “Dufferin-Peel is looked upon as a leader in Catholic education and we must continue to work hard to maintain the trust that parents/guardians have placed in us to foster the spiritual, academic and social growth of their children.”

The board also elected the chairs and vice chairs of its five standing committees and its representative on STOPR (Student Transportation of Peel Region), the transportation consortium:

Ø  Administration & Finance Committee: Frank Di Cosola - chair, Luz Del Rosario - vice chair

Ø  Faith & Program Committee: Tony Da Silva - chair, Thomas Thomas - vice chair

Ø  Audit Committee: Luz Del Rosario - chair, Mario Pascucci - vice chair

Ø  By-Law & Policy Review Committee:  Joyce Anderson - chair, Thomas Thomas - vice chair

Ø  Contract Negotiations Committee: Esther O’Toole - chair, Frank Di Cosola - vice chair

Ø  Transportation Consortium (STOPR): 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 successful year in which the board reaffirmed community satisfaction with the distinct Catholic nature of its schools, continued to meet or exceed provincial standards in student achievement, and continued to expand academic choices for students through new programs and pathways to success.

Added John Kostoff, “I thank Mario Pascucci for his contribution as chair over the past year and look forward to working with our new board chair and vice chair and all the new committee chairs and vice chairs as we continue to work together for the benefit of our students.”

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

edia Contact:  

Bruce Campbell,                 General Manager, Communications & Community Relations

(905) 890-0708, ext. 24466 or (905) 609-1480