Petrella becomes chair of Catholic school board for 10th consecutive term

Rick Petrella has become chair of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board for the 10thth consecutive term.

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Petrella was acclaimed to the position at the board’s annual meeting on Tuesday. Carol Luciani was acclaimed vice chair for her fifth consecutive term.

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“In the coming year, one of our key objectives will be to enhance the educational experience for our students while staying true to our Catholic roots and remaining fiscally responsible,” Petrella said in an address following his acclamation. “Financial stability enables us to prosper, grow, embrace and execute opportunities when they are presented.”

Petrella spoke about the growth of the vast area served by the school board over the past decade. In 2014, the student population was about 9,600 and the board had about 1,000 employees. There are now about 12,500 students attending local Catholic schools and 1,300 employees. The board’s budget has grown from $120 million in 2014 to more than $160 million.

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“We have seen an explosion of new housing and population growth in all the region our board services and have taken the right steps to capitalize on that growth,” said Petrella.

The board has received more than $60 million capital funding from the Ministry of Education in the past year to build two new schools, enhance infrastructure and build childcare facilities, “all on an accelerated construction timeline,” said Petrella.

The Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board received the largest share of the allocated capital funding among Ontario’s 76 boards in the last round of capital funding.

St. Padre Pio Catholic Secondary School and childcare center will open in 2026 in the north end of Brantford and Pope Francis Elementary Catholic School is scheduled to open in Caledonia in September 2025.

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“This is the first new Catholic secondary school serving Brantford and surrounding area built in over 30 years,” said Petrella. “This translates to more options for students and the community, more teaching positions, more support staff positions, and contributes to the growth in the area.

But, said Petrella, with rapid growth comes challenges. He said the board is working with provincial and municipal partners to address school capacity issues in Brantford and Paris.

“The long-term solution for our capacity issues in southwest Brantford and Paris will only be resolved with the construction of new schools in those areas. We are working hard with our provincial partners to secure the capital funding.”

Petrella said he is committed to “fostering an inclusive environment” in local Catholic schools.

“This includes ensuring every student, regardless of their background or beliefs, feels welcomed, valued, respected and has an equal opportunity to succeed.”

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