Catholic board brings back all its teachers. Hires some more

With enrolments slightly higher than expected among local English Catholic schools, the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board has managed to bring back all the teachers it had put on notice of redundancy in June.

"We cancelled the notice to four of them just weeks after we issued it," said Director of Education John Stadnyk after a board meeting tonight. "The last one was holding her breath until a week before classes started."

The board also hired several new teachers later than usual and it's recently completed their orientations, reported Superintendent of Education Maria Esposito.

Last month, 18 new teachers participated in the board's new teacher induction program, Esposito said.

The board also welcomed two additions to its senior staff.

Joining the ranks as superintendent of education is Toni Nanne-Little.

Chris Spina, the board's former chief finamcial officer, has assumed a new position as acting superintendent of business.

The full text of media releases on enrolment and the new senior staff members follows.

************************ HSCDSB adds two superintendents

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board is pleased to confirm two additions to the board’s administration team.

Long-time educator Toni Nanne-Little becomes the fourth superintendent of education for the board and chief financial officer Chris Spina has been promoted to acting superintendent of business.

“The addition of these two professionals on our administration team will allow this board to better serve our staff, students and those who support Catholic education.” said Chair of the Board of Trustees Marchy Bruni.

“Toni and Chris bring expertise to the administration team that will benefit Catholic education throughout our board. Their presence on the team will also allow for their fellow superintendents to better serve the schools and programs under their purview.” said Director of Education John Stadnyk.

Toni Nanne-Little – Superintendent of education

Toni Nanne-Little was approved to her new position in April and has recently been designated to oversee a number of crucial areas.

Among her many responsibilities, Nanne-Little will be the lead for the student success initiative, secondary school programming, new teacher induction program and Catholic school councils.

Nanne-Little begins her 29th year in Catholic education having served as teacher, vice-principal and most recently as principal of St. Theresa Catholic School in Sault Ste. Marie.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity the board has given me. It’s an exciting challenge that will expand my professional horizons,” said Nanne-Little.

Chris Spina – Acting superintendent of business

Chris Spina, who has been the board's chief financial officer for almost three years, will continue to oversee many of the areas that he already supervised as CFO and head of the board's business department.

Among those duties are; budgeting, board insurance, purchasing, school fundraising and tuition for First Nations students.

"I appreciate the honour of this new title and the duties that come with it. I have enjoyed working with all the members of this great team and will continue to ensure our students have the opportunity to receive the best Catholic learning experience possible," said Spina.

************************ Preliminary enrollment exceeds projections

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board reports a decrease of 136.25 full-time equivalents (FTE) students for the 2009-2010 school year.

The amalgamation of Holy Name of Jesus School in Hornepayne, with an enrolment of 34.5 students, factors into this decrease.

The decrease is comprised of 95 elementary students and 41.25 secondary pupils.

The board's funding is based on actual enrolment figures submitted to the Ministry of Education October 31 and March 31 annually.

There is an increase of 46.25 students from projected estimates used for budget purposes.

Elementary - City summary

The total FTE enrolment from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 in the 14 elementary schools within Sault Ste. Marie as of September 9, 2009 is 2,774.5 compared to 2,841.5 on October 31, 2008.

This represents an overall reduction of 67.0 FTE students.

A comparison of the projected FTE enrolment used for budget purposes and FTE enrolments of September 9, 2009 shows an increase of 1 (one) FTE student.

Elementary - District summary

The total FTE enrolment from junior kindergarten to Grade 8 in the nine Catholic elementary schools in the district as of September 9, 2009 is 911.0 FTE compared to 939.0 on October 31, 2008, an overall reduction of 28.0 students.

A comparison of the projected FTE enrolments used for budget purposes and FTE enrolments as of September 9, 2009 reveals an increase of 10.5 students.

Secondary enrolment

The total FTE enrolment in the three Catholic secondary schools as of September 9, 2009 is 1,538.75 FTE compared to 1,580 on October 31, 2008, an overall reduction of 41.25 students.

A comparison of the projected FTE enrolments used for budget purposes and FTE enrolments as of September 9, 2009 shows an increase of 34.75 students.

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