Trustees Sweeney, Vaughn, Bastone and Favreau recognized for their dedicated service.
The October 18 Board Meeting marked the final Board Meeting for the current Board of Trustees, who will complete their term of office on November 14, 2022.
Chair Gallik and Director Nicole Kurtz made a special presentation to the outgoing Trustees – Mike Favreau, Frank Bastone, Vaughn Blab and Anne Sweeney to recognize their contributions to Catholic education and years of service as Kenora Catholic District School Board Trustees. The outgoing Trustees represent over 62 years of combined service in their roles.
“Thank you for your contributions to the students and families of the Kenora Catholic District School Board,” said Teresa Gallik. “Your governance, guidance and support have helped to ensure that every student has the opportunity to be successful and reach their God-given potential.”
The Trustees were each presented with a crystal cross that was blessed by Father Rudy Manaloto from Notre Dame du Portage Parish.
“We have been blessed to get to know you each personally on our many trips and conferences together and our time spent at the Boardroom table. Thank you for always keeping the best interests of our students as the focus of your decisions. Your leadership, quick wit, big hearts, values, kindness, and dedication to Catholic education will be missed at the Boardroom table,” said Gallik.
Director Nicole Kurtz talked about each of the outgoing trustees, their accomplishments and years of service.
Vaughn Blab has been a Trustee with the Kenora Catholic District School Board since 2010 (12 years); however, he served as a Trustee prior to that with the Red Lake Combined Roman Catholic Separate School. The Red Lake Combined Roman Catholic Separate School Board was amalgamated into the Kenora Catholic District School Board in September 2019. Vaughn has been a support and advocate for students and families at St. John School in Red Lake.
Anne Sweeney has been a Trustee for eight years. She began in 2014 and has been a dedicated and distinguished Trustee Representative of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). She is thanked for her monthly SEAC reports at the Regular Board Meetings.
Frank Bastone has been a Trustee for 16 years. He began in 2005 and has served as Chair and Vice Chair on numerous occasions during his term in office. He held the position of Chair from 2012 – 2018 and has also served as Regional Director for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association for the past few years. He is also recognized for his time on the Internal Audit Committee. Prior to becoming a Trustee for KCDSB in 2006, Bastone served as a Trustee for the Dryden District Roman Catholic Separate School Board, now known as the Northwest Catholic District School Board, for seven years.
Mike Favreau has been a Trustee for 26 years. He started as a Trustee in 1996 and has held the role of Chair and Vice Chair at various times throughout his term of office. He is also recognized for his time on the Internal Audit Committee.
Trustee Mike Favreau was recognized by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association as an exemplary Trustee and was honoured with the Award of Merit in 2012. This award is provided to one Catholic school board trustee of 29 Boards across Ontario who has made significant contributions to the Catholic education community, has strong leadership qualities, and witnesses their faith commitment.
During their tenure, many of the Trustees were involved in significant initiatives and capital projects to advance the Board:
• Implementing a governance structure to guide the operations of the Board
• The amalgamation of Our Lady of the Valley School and Mount Carmel School – creating the new St. John Paul II School in 2008
• The hiring of seven Directors of Education, with Nicole Kurtz being the seventh
• The amalgamation of St. John School from the Red Lake Combined Roman Catholic Separate School Board into the Kenora Catholic District School Board in 2009
• The vision and creation of the Catholic Campus that includes the Catholic Education Centre, St. John Paul II School, École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School as well as the on-campus child care facilities
• The expansion and addition of the dedicated Grade 7 – 8 wing and outdoor learning space at St. Thomas Aquinas High School
• The creation of the Multi-Skills Training Centre of Excellence for trades training and partnership with Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology
• The Capital expansion of École Ste- Marguerite Bourgeoys to create new Kindergarten Classrooms and the expansion of the school for six new classrooms addressing growing enrolment in 2015
Teresa Gallik, Paul Landry and Jeffrey White will return for another term. At the same time, Angela Bishop, Derek Favreau, Marie Lundin and Lorne Temple will join the Boardroom table as new Catholic School Trustees.
The new Board will be sworn in at the Inaugural Board Meeting on November 15, 2022, where they will receive their commissioning ceremony.
The new term of office is from November 15, 2022, to November 14, 2026.
