GUELPH – Trustee Linda Busuttil, school board trustee for Wards 2, 3 and 4 in the City of Guelph, was elected chair of the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) at the board’s inaugural meeting on Nov. 30.
This is the third stint as board chair for Busuttil, who was first elected as a trustee in 2006.
She has served as chair, vice chair and chair of numerous committees, including business operations, negotiating steering, audit, property and strategic planning.
Busuttil thanked the board for its support and confidence and she highlighted areas of focus for the year ahead.
“I believe that there is an opportunity for us to capture our strategic directions and align with the sustainable development efforts of our students, staff and communities, focusing on the most pressing issues of climate change, inequality, poverty, hunger, education, jobs and health,” Busuttil said.
In her inaugural address, Busuttil spoke about the priorities of developing the board’s strategic directions with a focus on student voice and equity, supporting staff in the development of the multi-year strategic plan and other key board plans, and reviewing the board’s bylaws.
“This is an exciting time for the development of new and responsive systems in education,” she explained.
“We need to encourage and support innovation and stretch our creativity, in our staff, and in ourselves.”
Trustee Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy, who represents the Township of Centre Wellington, was acclaimed to serve as vice chair of the board.
The positions are for a one-year term, ending on Nov. 30, 2022.
“I look forward to working with chair Busuttil, vice chair Lustgarten-Evoy and all trustees as we focus our efforts in the new year on our strategic priorities to re-engage, refresh and reimagine learning and working at the Upper Grand District School Board,” said UGDSB director of education Peter Sovran.
At the inaugural meeting, trustees were also named to the board’s various committees.
Lustgarten-Evoy was elected program committee chair, with trustee Martha MacNeil serving as vice chair.
MacNeil was elected business operations committee chair, with trustee Gail Campbell serving as vice chair.
MacNeil will also serve as a director on the Ontario Public School Board Association’s (OPSBA) board of directors. The organization is routinely called on by the provincial government for input and advice on legislation, labour negotiations and the impact of government policy directions.
The final meeting of the 2020-21 board preceded the inaugural meeting. Trustees expressed their appreciation to members of the media for coverage of education issues during the past year and for their continued co-operation and help broadcasting school bus information on inclement weather days during the school year.
They also expressed their appreciation to former director Martha Rogers and director Sovran for their co-operation and assistance during the past year, and to all staff members for their loyalty and dedication.
