HWCDSB celebrates its Catholic School Trustees
October 19–25, 2025 has been designated by the Province of Ontario as Local Government Week and was established to increase youth and public awareness about the role local government plays in our communities.
This week is a wonderful opportunity for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board to promote and celebrate the distinct and crucial service provided by locally elected Catholic School Trustees/Boards.
As the democratically elected representatives of the Catholic community, Catholic school trustees not only serve as stewards and advocates for publicly funded Catholic education but also govern Catholic school systems in Ontario, which continue to be an important part of the Catholic educational tradition. This week provides Catholic school boards with an opportunity and platform to communicate the role of Catholic school trustees and to promote the enduring gift of Catholic education.
Catholic School Board Trustees
- School board trustees are the oldest form of elected representation in Ontario.
- The first Catholic school in Ontario was built in Glengarry County in 1826.
- Catholic school board trustees are the only publicly elected officials with direct responsibility for the education of children in Ontario’s publicly funded Catholic schools.
A Distinctive Focus – Catholic Trustees:
- Have a vision of Catholic education that is Christ-centred.
- Are committed to educating students in the Catholic faith tradition.
- Work collaboratively with all partners in education for the betterment of all.
- Embrace the knowledge that their service is an investment in the future leadership of our communities, our Catholic schools, our country, and our Church.
Catholic School Board Responsibilities:
- Establish the Catholic school board’s vision, mission, and goals.
- Develop school board policies that protect and promote the constitutional right of the Catholic community to govern Catholic schools.
- Set and monitor the annual budget.
- Develop and monitor the HWCDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan.
- Select the Director of Education and other staff.
- Communicate the views and decisions of the board to constituents.
- Represent the school board as a whole to the Catholic community
- Uphold the implementation of resolutions passed by the board.
Elected Representation:
- Catholic trustees are elected every four years during municipal and school board elections.
- There are nine publicly elected Catholic trustees representing 56 schools in 15 wards across Hamilton.
Catholic trustees are the stewards, advocates, servant leaders, and political representatives for Catholic education in Ontario.
HWCDSB Board of Trustees 2025–2026:
Ward 1, 2 & 15: Mark Valvasori
Ward 3 & 4: Josie Angelini
Ward 5: Aldo D’Intino
Ward 6: Ellen Agostino
Ward 7: Tyler Iorio
Ward 8 & 14: John Valvasori
Ward 9 & 11: Louis Agro
Ward 10: Mary Nardini
Ward 12 & 13: Phil Homerski
Catholic trustees are the oldest form of elected representation in Ontario. The first Catholic school in the province was established in Glengarry County in 1826, and since that time, trustees have played a central role in preserving and strengthening publicly funded Catholic education.
Local Government Week serves as a reminder of the essential role trustees play in shaping policy, guiding direction, and supporting the success and well-being of all students. Through their leadership and commitment, trustees ensure that Catholic education remains a valued and vibrant part of Ontario’s publicly funded education system.
This week, we thank our trustees for their dedicated service and for their ongoing commitment to protecting the gift of publicly funded Catholic education in Hamilton-Wentworth, and we pray for their continued wisdom and guidance in leading our Catholic school system.