Toronto Catholic District School Board

Headquarters of the school board

The Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB, known as English-language Separate District School Board No. 40 prior to 1999^[4]) is an English-language public-separate school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada, headquartered in North York.^[5] It is one of the two English boards of education in the City of Toronto, serving the former municipalities of Scarborough, North York, York, East York, Toronto and Etobicoke. With 85,864 students, the TCDSB is one of the largest school boards in Canada, and is the largest publicly funded Catholic school board in the world.^[6] Until 1998, it was known as the Metropolitan Separate School Board (MSSB) as an anglophone and francophone separate school district.

History

TCDSB's former entity, Metropolitan Separate School Board

Prior to 1998, the Metropolitan Separate School Board was the governing body of all publicly funded Roman Catholic schools in Toronto. In 1998 the board was reorganised, resulting in the separation of English and French language schools, the latter of which are now part of the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud. The resulting board was named the Toronto Catholic District School Board.

Organization

The Toronto Catholic District School Board mission statement relies on as "an inclusive learning community rooted in the love of Christ" that "educates students to grow in grace and knowledge and to lead lives of faith, hope and charity." The vision encourages learning communities of the Board to "transform the world through witness, faith, innovation and action." ^[7]

The school board is governed by 12 elected trustees who serve for a four-year term. Each year one secondary school student is selected to serve on the board as a student trustee (who is not entitled to vote). The chair of the board, the vice-chair and the honorary treasurer are elected at the inaugural meeting of the board, and serve for one year. As of August 2013, Ann Andrachuk serves as chair and Sal Piccininni serves as vice-chair. Trustees are paid $18,500 a year in salary and can claim up to $18,000 for expenses. Prior to the 1998 separation of French-language schools, the Metropolitan Separate School Board had three French language seats.^[8] The policies of the Board are administered by the Director of Education and designates.

There are more than 85,864 students serving over 200 Catholic schools, and represent close to 475,000 Catholic school supporters in all of Toronto. The TCDSB also has staff consisting of 6,000 teachers, 2,800 support staff, 360 principals and vice principals, and 200 administrators.^[9]

In addition, the Board operates standing three committees: the Student Achievement and Well Being, Catholic Education and Human Resources, Corporate Affairs, Strategic Planning and Property, & Governance Framework.^[10]

Trustees

Chairs of the Board

Italics indicate the trustee remains active.^[11]

• Averell Robinson, Q.C. - 1953–1954; Original chair of the MSSB
• Rev. Msgr. Hugh Callaghan, D.P. - 1954–1955
• Gerard Godin - 1956–1957
• Georges B. Heenan - 1958–1959
• Michael J. Duggan - 1960–1962
• Edward J. Brisbois - 1963–1965
• Dr. John J. Andrachuk - 1966–1967
• Rev. Msgr. Percy H. Johnson, P.H. 1968–1969; Sxhool named after him.
• J.A. Fullerton - 1970–1971
• J.A. Marrese - 1972–1974
• Joseph Grittani - 1975–1976
• Rev. E.F. Boehler - 1977–1978
• Bruno M. Suppa - 1979–1980
• Paul J. Duggan - 1981–1982
• Edward T. McMahon - 1983–1984; 1996–1997
• Rev. E.F. Boehler - 1984–1985
• Rev. C. Matthews, S.J. - 1985–1986
• Caroline M. DiGiovanni - 1986–1988
• Michael Lofranco - 1988–1989
• Donald E. Clune - 1989–1992
• Elvira DeMonte - 1992–1994
• Paul B.R. Fernandes - 1994–1996
• Joseph Martino - 1997–1999 - Last chair as MSSB and first chair of the reorganized TCDSB.
• Rose Andrachuk - 1999–2000
• Mike Del Grande - 2000–2001 - Later became city councilor; 2014–2015
• Joseph Carnevale - 2001–2003;
• Oliver Carroll - 2003–2007 - Ousted in early 2009 for conflict of interest charges.^[12] Now serves as a teacher for the Toronto District School Board since 2010 and teaches at Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies from 2012 onwards.^[13][14]
• Catherine LeBlanc-Miller - 2008–2009
• Angela Kennedy - 2009–2010 - later removed by the judge and was later re-elected; 2015-present
• Ann Andrachuk - 2010-2013
• Jo-Ann Davis - 2013–2014

Directors of Education

Current

The current director of education is Angela Gauthier who was appointed on August 1, 2013. She served as interim director in 2011.

Past directors

• B. E. Nelligan - 1965–1983
• Berchman Kipp - 1983–1989
• Tony Barone - 1989–1996
• Norm Forma - 1996–1997
• Johanne Stewart - 1997–2001
• Tom Donavan - 2001–2005
• Noel Martin (Acting) - 2005
• Kevin Kobus - 2005–2007
• Ann Perron - 2007–2011 (was acting up to 2009)
• Bruce Rodrigues - 2011–2013 (now CEO at EQAO)

School Building Architecture

Like the TDSB-built schools, 70% of the TCDSB stock of school buildings outside of the old City of Toronto were built after World War II and during the 1950s. These are typically Mid-Century modern in style with two to three storey brick facade and large double hung windows albeit from the cross attached. Some are built in Tudor Gothic style ones in the late 1800s.

Schools

The Toronto Catholic District School Board governs 201 schools in the Toronto area: 30 secondary schools, 168 elementary schools, and 3 schools that combine both secondary and elementary grades.^[1]

This list below also shows a number of buildings that were transferred from the Toronto Board of Education (TBE) throughout the 1980s.

Secondary schools

Name	Image	Location	Administration	Opened	Team name	Enrolment (2012–13)	Parish	Notes
Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School		99 Humber Blvd.	Principal: Vince Russiello Vice Principals: Linda Maselli-Jackman, Raymond Sanborn	1989	Raiders	744	Our Lady of Victory	Located on the former York Humber site
Bishop Allen Academy		721 Royal York Road	Principal: Stephen Carey Vice Principals: Mary Keenan, Don Walker	1989	Cardinals	1505	Our Lady of Sorrows	Located on the former Kingsmill Vocational site
Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School		1515 Bloor Street West	Principal: Maria Pereira Vice Principals: Rita Leone, Lisa McGukin	1880 and 1986 Merged 1988	Royals	950	St. Joan of Arc	Located on the former West Park site Formerly St. Joseph's Commercial School, renamed Thomas Merton in 1985.
Blessed Cardinal Newman Catholic High School		100 Brimley Road South	Principal: Joan Tschernow Vice Principals: Stefan Barrans, Anne Martin	1973	Knights	1308	St. Theresa Shrine	Located on the St. Augustine's Seminary site. Certified Eco-school.
Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School		40 Sewells Road	Principal: Stephen Carey Vice Principals: Jose Flores, Michelina Corsano	1985	Titans	630	St. Barnabas	Regional Arts program
Brebeuf College School		211 Steeles Avenue East	Principal: Anthony Azzopardi Vice Principals: Walter Spano, Monica Calligaro	1963	Bulls	1040	Blessed Trinity
Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts		36 Greenfield Avenue	Principal: Anne Bellissimo Vice Principals: Franco Rubino, Bruno Garisto	1990		724
Chaminade College School		490 Queens Dr, Toronto, ON M6L 1M8	Principal: Carmine Settino Vice Principals: Angelo Petrolito, Clarence Pitterson	1964	Gryphons	920
Dante Alighieri Academy		60 Playfair Avenus	Principal: Flora Cifelli Vice Principals: Teresa Santoro, Joseph Stesco, Sandra Figliomeni	1974	Monarchs	1194	St. Charles
Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School		2 St. Andrew's Blvd	Principal: Michael Rossetti Vice Principals: Gabe Piccolo, Kelly Breen	1978	Eagles	569
Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School		1760 Martin Grove Road	Principal: Michael Rossetti Vice Principals: Teresa Garisto, Paul Raso	1974	Crusaders	915	St. Andrew	Original location on 21 Panorama Court, now a community hub Located on the former Humbergrove site, previously used by Marian (closed 2002).
Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School and Regional Arts Centre		28 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive	Principal: Lisa Tomeczek Vice Principals: Robert D’Addario, Ann Marguerite Moynihan	1985	Redhawks	1102
Francis Libermann Catholic High School		4640 Finch Avenue East	Principal: Brian Hunt Vice Principals: Ryan Peterson, Laila Velocci	1977	Falcons	879	Prince of Peace	Gifted program for Grades 7-8.
James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School		1440 Finch Avenue West	Principal: Anthony Bellisario Vice Principals: Thomas Pavia, Ada Mellino	1982	Wolves	879	St. Wilfrid
Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School		959 Midland Avenue	Principal: John Brady Vice Principals: Anne Louise Bannon, Reginald Ramlogan	1989	Mavericks	1017	St. Maria Goretti	Located on the former Tabor Park Vocational / SCAS site
Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School		101 Mason Boulevard	Principal: Anita Bartolini Vice Principals: Josie Pannozzo, Paolo Morrone	1847	Gator	928
Loretto College School		151 Rosemount Avenue	Principal: Vince Russiello Vice Principals: Caroline Falzon, Mary Lynn Flett	1915	Lightning	556	St. Nicholas of Bari Church
Madonna Catholic Secondary School		50 Dubray Avenue	Principal: Erica Wilson Vice Principals: Victoria Raco	1963	Phoenixs	536	St. Phillip Neri
Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School		1107 Avenue Road	Principal: Luisa Cangelosi Vice Principals: Anna Enenajor, Victor Mio	1998	Rebels	1068	Our Lady of the Assumption
Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School		3200 Kennedy Road	Principal: Patricia Coburn Vice Principals: Derek Chen, Violet Keenan	1985	Wolverines	1124	Epiphany of Our Lord	Self-directed Learning program.
Michael Power/St. Joseph High School		105 Eringate Drive	Principal: Joseph Brisbois Vice Principals: George Kolos, Peter O'Neil, Lisa Tomezcek	1949 and 1957 Merged 1988	Trojans	2066	Nativity of Our Lord	Located on the former Vincent Massey site Original location on Bloor and Dundas, now Michael Power condos.
Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic Secondary School		2170 Kipling Avenue	Principal: Susan Souter Vice Principals: Marcello Mancuso, Todd Visinski	1984	Jaguars	1031	St. Benedict	Located on the former Heatherbrae site, acquired 2005.
Neil McNeil High School		127 Victoria Park Avenue	Principal: Michael Wallace Vice Principals: Robert Noble, Kathleen Wong	1958	Maroons	817	St. John
Notre Dame High School		12 Malvern Avenue	Principal: Jolanta Hickey Vice Principals: Reshida Nezirevic, Bernice Peacock	1941	Spirit	682	St. John
Senator O'Connor College School		60 Rowena Drive	Principal: Paul McAlpine Vice Principals: Joseph Liscio, Louise Brighton	1963	Blues	1220	Annunciation
St. Basil-the-Great College School		20 Starview Lane	Principal: Tony Augello Vice Principals: Laura DiManno, Miles Fernandes	1962	Barons	1246	St. Jude
St. John Paul II Catholic Secondary School		685 Military Trail	Principal: Paul McAlpine Vice Principals: Louise Brighton, Bernie Burns	1983	Panthers	1400	St. Thomas More	Site for the 2015 Pan American Games.
St. Joseph's College School		74 Wellesley Street West	Principal: Helen Lesniak Vice Principals: Alice Wong-Rettig, Anna Patejczuk	1864	Bears	848	St. Basil
St. Joseph's Morrow Park Catholic Secondary School		3379 Bayview Avenue	Principal: Linda Maselli-Jackman Vice Principals: Teresa Garisto, Walter Spano	1960	Jaguars	657	Blessed Trinity
St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School		66 Dufferin Park Avenue	Principal: Robert Merolle Vice Principals: Frank DeFina, Kristin Carey	1982	Huskies	740	St. Anthony	Self-directed Learning program.
St. Michael's Choir School		67 Bond St	Principal: Mr. Barry White Vice Principals: Mr. Linton Soares	1937	Spartan
St. Patrick's Catholic Secondary School		49 Felstead Drive	Principal: Sandra Mudryj Vice Principals: Paul Adams, Susan Laidlaw	1852 (elementary) 1986 (present)	Patriots	549	St. Catherine of Siena	Operates as the Centre for Arts, Media, and Technology. Located on the former Lakeview SS site.

Combined schools

• Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts (Grades 7-12)
• St. Michael's Choir (Grades 3-12)

Elementary schools

Former schools

Previously the district operated French-language schools in addition to English-language schools. As of May 1980 the district operated five of the seven public French-language schools in Metropolitan Toronto, with the other two being operated by the North York Board of Education. The Metropolitan Separate School Board required any potential student to have at least one French-speaking parent before being admitted to a French-speaking school. One of the francophone schools operated by the board was the Ecole Sacre Coeur, which first opened in 1891 in a building basement and moved to its own facility in 1896. In the year it started, Toronto had 130 francophone families.^[17] As of 2013 all French-language public schools in Toronto are operated by the Conseil scolaire Viamonde and the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud.

Meanwhile, the Board operated and funded two schools that they were part of since 1967 namely De La Salle College and St. Michael's College School. The schools, however, were re-privatized in 1985 and 1994 (although De La Salle spent almost 7 years with the board). In addition, three high schools such as Brother Edmund Rice Catholic Secondary School, Marian Academy, and Regina Pacis Catholic Secondary School were ran by the Metropolitan Separate School Board. Both schools were closed between 2001 and 2002 due to low enrollment and the facilities were later reused.

School bus transportation

The following service providers have been contracted by the school board:^[18]

• Altug Transportation
• Attridge Transportation
• First Student Canada
• McCluskey Transportation Services
• Stock Transportation
• Toronto Transit Commission

Uniforms

Uniforms are mandatory for students at the secondary level and elementary starting in the fall 2011.^[19] In 2010 some elementary schools started implementing use of uniforms. ^[19]

In 1988, the MSSB ruled that public separate high schools are required to wear uniforms. At the time, all of the high schools in Scarborough except for Cardinal Newman Secondary School had uniforms. Some trustees anticipated protests from parents and students from Newman.^[20]

As of 2014, all TCDSB elementary students must wear a uniform of a white or navy blur top, and navy blue bottoms. This is enforced in special programs such as the gifted program and ME.

Controversies

Enrolment of non-Catholics

While Catholic high schools are funded by the provincial government, making them open to any students who wish to attend, elementary schools do not have to enroll non-Catholic students. Many argue that the practice of fully funding separate schools exclusively for the Catholic faith is discriminatory to other religions (the United Nations has twice chastised the province for this policy). Supporters of the current Catholic education system point out that it has existed, in one form or another, since Confederation, and that the Constitution Act, 1867 enshrines the right to government-funded religious education to all Catholics. The opposition, however, argues that this is an appeal to tradition, and point to other provinces in Canada which amended the constitution to abolish Catholic school funding. It is up to the school principal whether or not non-Catholics are enrolled.

Government funding

Recently, the issue of government funding for religious schools has become a major political issue (see Ontario general election, 2007), with PC Party Leader John Tory supporting an extension of funding to all religious schools, Dalton McGuinty's Liberals and Howard Hampton's NDP supporting the status quo, and Frank de Jong's Greens alone calling for elimination of public funding for all religious schools (including Catholic Schools).

Trustee spending scandal

The board was embroiled in controversy in May 2008 when a report commissioned by the provincial government uncovered spending abuses by certain trustees, including charges for meals, promotional materials, and prohibited benefits.^[21][22] Provincial supervisor Norbert Hartmann was appointed to oversee administration of the board as a result.^[23]

Logo

The official symbol of the Toronto Catholic District School Board was designed in 1969 by the internationally recognized design artist, Allan Fleming, who designed the Canadian National logo. It combines the cross, the anchor, and the heart representing the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity. It is based on the cross and anchor symbol used by the early Christians in the catacombs, the added heart representing humanity.^[24]

See also

• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto
• Toronto District School Board
• Conseil scolaire Viamonde
• Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud, formerly Les Conseil des écoles catholiques du Grand Toronto in Metro Toronto.
• List of school districts in Ontario
• List of high schools in Ontario

References

Further reading

• Toughill, Kelly. "Catholic board offers 10% over 2 years." Toronto Star. October 19, 1987. News p. A2.
• Daly, Rita. "Trustees attack proposal to cut separate board by four seats." Toronto Star (FIN Edition). January 18, 1988. News p. A6.
• Daly, Rita. "French school trustees get okay on alcohol." Toronto Star. September 21, 1990. News p. A6.
• Small, Peter. "Separate schools' deficit up $3 million Trustee blames previous board." Toronto Star. October 11, 1996. News p. A6.
• The History of the Toronto Catholic District School Board

External links

• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• Toronto Catholic District School Board (1998–1999 archive, using Metropolitan Separate School Board website domain)
• TCDSB on Twitter

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