At its Regular Meeting held on May 6, 2014, the Halton Catholic District School Board announced the names of the three Student Trustees who will sit on the Board for the 2014-2015 school year.
Student Trustee elections were held on April 29, 2014 at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Oakville. All candidates were provided with an opportunity to articulate their interest in representing students on the Halton Catholic District School Board, and responded to from Student Senators. Following the interviews, the Student Senate voted by secret ballot. Board staff were present as scrutineers to the process. There is a student trustee for the 3 areas that make up the Halton Catholic District School Board: Oakville, Burlington, and North Halton.
JOEL LOUZADO was elected as the 2014-2015 Oakville Student Trustee.
"We are delighted to welcome Joel as a Student Trustee on the Board next year," says Diane Rabenda, Chair of Board. "The role of the Student Trustee is instrumental in ensuring that the perspective of our students is taken into consideration during trustee deliberations at school board meetings."
Joel Louzado is currently a Grade 12 student at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School. He always strives for excellence in all he does and continually challenges himself to achieve to his fullest potential. Joel's commitment to his school community and his leadership in the educational community at large is evidenced by his role as Student Council President, where he leads and engages in discussion, dialogue and decision-making among the members of council. His artistic talents extend to Fine Art, and Joel's artwork was recently selected as the winning entry in this year’s “Give Respect, Get Respect” campaign in Halton. Joel is also a key member of the Loyola School Concert Band. He is actively involved and committed to his faith, and consistently models Gospel values in all he does.
The term of office for the three new Student Trustees is for the 2014-2015 school year. During their tenure, Student Trustees are afforded the same privileges as Trustees to participate at meetings of the Board and at meetings of Committees of the Board. Student Trustees may exercise a non-binding vote at Board Meetings and may be present at in-camera sessions of the Board.
The Education Quality Improvement Act, 1997 (formerly Bill 160) provided for the representation of the interests of pupils on school boards. Learn more about the role of the Student Trustee and the Student Senate on the Board's website at www.hcdsb.org/Students/Senate.