2014 Election Archive

Wendy is running for a second term as a trustee with the WCDSB. Wendy spent 28 years as an employee with the WCDSB where she was a teacher, guidance counsellor, department head, program head, vice-principal …and principal. She is still passionate about Catholic education and wants to make sure that the system can be the best it can for all students, including her three grandsons. During this term Wendy served on many taskforces and committees including the two ARC’s and one BRC that were completed in this term. Wendy believes that communication and consultation with the Catholic rate-payers is vital if the system is to be successful. Wendy says that trustees need to get better at hearing what the rate-payer is saying and hold themselves accountable to the rate-payers, which includes the parents and staff of the Waterloo region. Listening to parents and staff will help when trustees need to make important decisions. The needs of all students must be the filter that trustees use when making decisions. More

Peter Reitmeier has served as Trustee with the WCDSB the past 4 years, and is currently Vice-Chair of the Board. I have served on many committees during this term, including Chair of Linkages, member of …SEAC, Governance, CPIC, Budget Advisory, South- East Galt ARC and maintains an excellent attendance record at Board and Committee meetings. Above all, protection of our Catholic education system is the driving force behind my seeking re-election. Challenges present themselves both externally and internally in our board, and must be defended. I will continue to advocate for the strengthening of the Church-Home- School triad. It is the strengthening of these relationships that can bring about stronger enrollment numbers. I disagree that our elementary schools should open access to children of other faiths. It is within our elementary schools that the children learn and grow in their faith, and the participation in sacramental preparation in partnership with our local churches and parish priests is key to this important ministry. I will also continue to advocate for students requiring special education, by ensuring that we continue to fight for appropriate funding models to ensure that our board’s inclusive learning environment continues to benefit both students of special needs and all students. If called upon to serve once again as a trustee in our board, I give my promise to defend and advocate for the students, staff and ratepayers of Waterloo Region. More

As a trustee, Montse looks forward to extending the support of our community within our Catholic schools. A widowed mother of four great children (three still in the WCDSB), Montse has experienced first …hand that it truly takes a village to raise a child. Lucky to reside in the great city of Cambridge, Ontario and as a member of the St. Mary's of the Visitation parish community, the Sanzsole Vasquez family have been supported by & support a larger extended family. Employed with Co-operative Education at the University of Waterloo for over 18 years, Montse has seen how a strong education at the elementary and secondary school level lead to success later in life. "Our goals in Catholic education must continue to give our students knowledge and life skills for today and tomorrow. We must give our students the exposure to leading edge educational tools." A proud product of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, Montse clearly understands the value of an excellent education. Born in Barcelona, Spain and raised in Kitchener, Ontario. Montse Sanzsole Vasquez attended K-8 at various schools in the area, including St. John's, St. Boniface and St. Paul's (all in Kitchener). St. Mary's (at that time, in downtown Kitchener) provided an excellent high school experience that lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo. A successful Martial Arts business owner and instructor for over 20 years in the local community, Montse brings the understanding that fiscal responsibility along with strategic planning are keys to success. Montse has proven over and over her ability to listen, adapt and create solutions based on feedback and communications with students, parents, teachers and administrators. Today, as a MOTHER, a COMMUNITY MEMBER and an EDUCATOR, Montse wants to serve as your voice on the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. A voice that echoes your concerns. A voice that matters. A voice that cares. More

Joyce is running for a second term as trustee with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Her goals are to ensure public accountability and transparency, as well as a quality, inclusive education …for all students. She is working to promote an environment where the dignity of every parent, student and employee is honoured and for better communication among all stakeholders. Joyce brings a wealth of experience to the role including 38 years in Catholic education as a trustee, administrator, special education consultant and teacher. She is the proud grandparent of two students in the Waterloo Catholic DSB. More

Amy has been an advocate of helping children reach their full potential dating back to her own childhood. She grew up the youngest daughter of a teacher, watching her Mother fight tirelessly against the …challenges associated with increasing demands and decreasing resources. As a trustee, Amy will ensure that the welcoming and inclusive environment fostered within the Waterloo Catholic District School Board continues. Amy will be a proponent for students and their needs while working towards building better communication between parents, staff and the school board. Amy has worked as a Broadcast News Anchor and Sports Reporter in various cities across Canada. She and her husband Craig live in Kitchener’s Doon neighbourhood with their four children and a perpetually-starving Black Lab named Ivy. Both Amy and her husband have benefited greatly from a Catholic education. She is proud that her kids will get to follow in their parents’ footsteps. More

Renée is running for Catholic School Board Trustee to ensure that we have a strong school system to support the Catholic faith and values, now and in the future. Renée was raised in a family of strong …faith. She benefitted from faith-based learning throughout elementary and secondary school. Renée is a wife and mother to two boys. They are regular parishioners at Blessed Sacrament church. She has one child in the separate school system, with another set for enrolment in 2015. She is an active member of her child’s school council, and a volunteer with the All Stars Reading program. Renée is skilled at managing people. She has proven results for consensus building, gained through progressively senior roles in the commercial insurance industry over the last 15 years. Her leadership style encourages collaboration and drives others to achieve results that continuously exceed expectations. By engaging and empowering people, she produces desired outcomes, while balancing the unique needs of various stakeholders. These skills will help her to be successful in a trustee role. For more information, please visit the following public page: www.facebook.com/votereneekraft More

Anthony Piscitelli brings extensive governance experience to the role of Waterloo CDSB Trustee. He has served on nine boards of directors over the past twelve years. His experience includes developing …new organizations, creating policies, approving budgets, settnig strategic direction and overseeing organizational development in corporations. At present, he serves as a Director with Your Neighbourhood Credit Union and as a Trustee with the Waterloo CDSB. In both of these roles he has spent time as Chair of the Audit Committee and chair of the Governance Committee. Anthony has also completed a Maters of Political Science Degree with Wilfrid Laurier University. He is an Accredited Canadian Credit Union Director a a Level II Certified Municipal Manager. More

Janek Jagiellowicz the current Catholic School Trustee for Waterloo, Wellesley, Woolwich is the Chair of the WCDSB Audit Committee and WCDSB Pastoral Committee. Born and Raised in Waterloo Region, Janek …has been married for 11yrs and has 2 beautiful daughters in the Catholic system. An Entrepreneur at heart Janek has successfully run his own business since 1998. He graduated from the Catholic University of Leuven with an MA in Philosophy. In the next 4 years Janek will continue to make parents and students the focal point of his work. He pledges that the WCDSB will be accountable and transparent for all Catholic ratepayers, he will ensure that the WCDSB lives by its motto “ A Place for All” and he will continue to champion excellence in education. More

Frank Johnson has served as a Trustee for the past two years following 34 years of service to the WCDSB as a secondary teacher, principal at 3 secondary schools and system principal with responsibilities …for Student Success and Special Education. As a Trustee, Frank has chaired two task forces, the first revising the Board’s “End Statements” and the second on revising and toughening the Trustee Code of Conduct. He is also a member of the Board Audit Committee, the Pastoral Care Committee and Catholic Parent Involvement Committee. As a Trustee, Frank has been supportive of small rural schools, student mental health supports, LGBTQ students and staff and increasing opportunities for student success. He is an advocate for parents in working with schools and senior administration. Frank also volunteers in Waterloo with the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre and the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council. He is also a member of Cancer Care Ontario’s Patient and Family Advisory Council. He is a parent of a student in JK as well as older boys who have graduated from the WCDSB and uses his experience as a parent and former school and system administrator to ensure the board keeps to its mission as an inclusive system acting as the heart of the community. In retirement, Frank has worked with school boards in designing the process for the development of multi-year strategic plans, acted as a consultant for private industry on web content for parent knowledge around underage alcohol use and worked as a professional developer for Catholic administrators. More

Married 37 years, Mother and Grandmother, Practicing Catholic, Member of St Clements Parrish, Eucharistic Minister, Grandson attending Catholic School, Son, Sisters and Brothers teaching in Catholic Schools, …Previous applicant Waterloo Catholic School Board to replace Father Hetu. Professional Qualifications: Human Resources Professional for 20 years, CHRP Designation, Graduate Advanced Human Resources Management Rotman School of Business, Previous business owner, Current responsibilities for over 500 employees, Sat on Board of Directors for Grand Valley Human Resource Association, 2 years Director of Finance More

Melanie is married with two children currently enrolled in the Separate School board. She is a stay-at-home mom with 15 years of financial and management experience and has a Psychology degree from Wilfrid …Laurier University. his past year Melanie volunteered as school council treasurer at St. Boniface Catholic School and helped plan and organize many school events. She is currently Chair of the school’s key fundraising initiative to be held in November. Outside of her volunteer work with the school, Melanie had the pleasure of coaching her daughter’s soccer team, which is part of the Woolwich Youth Soccer Club. As a WCDSB Trustee, Melanie’s focus will be on improving communication with the constituents. She will take time to listen and hear what the people of the community have to say and take that into consideration when making tough decisions. Melanie believes that the Catholic school system is a necessity in our community and will work to increase enrolment. Melanie will act as “your voice” when discussing changes in our local schools! More