Look who's running your schools

Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board has a new chair this morning.

At the board’s annual inaugural meeting last night, trustee Marchy Bruni (shown) defeated incumbent Gerald Beerkens for the position of board chair.

Laurie Aceti (shown with Bruni) was elected vice chair, defeating Gerald Beerkens and John Caputo.

Last year, Aceti and Bruni tied for first place in their race for the vice-chair seat and Aceti won when they drew straws to break the tie.

The board also issued the following news releases:

******************** New regional school council chair named

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board has named a new regional school council chair.

Randy Schuran, chair of the St. Pius X Catholic School Council, succeeds Darla Diotte in January.

The regional school council chair acts as a liaison between the chairs of all Catholic school councils in the board.

As a result, this individual is granted observer status at board meetings.

"We look forward to working with Randy," says John Stadnyk, director of education. "Parents are a key partner in education and we value their involvement at all levels."

Shuran, a married father of two, is a senior manager in the financial services field.

He is an active member of the St. Gerard Majella Parish and serves the Bon Soo Winter Carnival organization.

He is also a volunteer with the Alzeimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie.

Schuran is a former Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie volunteer.

*************** Board issues revised enrolment figures

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board released its October 31 enrolment figures at last night's board meeting.

"Enrolment has dropped in our system over the past few years and the decline continues at both the elementary and secondary levels," says John Stadnyk, director of education. "We are hopeful that new developments in Sault Ste. Marie will result in an upward trend in enrolment within the near future."

There are now 6,007 elementary and secondary students in the system, compared to 6,175 students a year ago – a drop of 168.5 students, in total, or a loss of 2.7 percent.

The number of elementary students decreased by 71 in Sault Ste. Marie and 73 in the district, for a total reduction of 144.

Elementary enrolment stands at 4,332.

There are now 1,675 students in the board's four secondary students, a drop of 24.5 students.

Enrolment is counted on Oct. 31 and March 31 each year for funding purposes.

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