There are three candidates in the running for a trustee seat in the upcoming Oct. 24 municipal election on the Huron Superior Catholic School Board. They are incumbents Kathleen Rosilius and Lindsay Liske, as well as a challenger and former trustee Reginald Simon.
ElliotLakeToday reached out to the candidates about what they want to accomplish in the next four-year term and what they have to offer voters. These are their responses.
Kathleen Rosilius
“I’m the incumbent Catholic trustee. I’m married to Uwe, and we have four children and two grandkids.
I’m an advocate for our students in our Catholic schools to master math and literacy. What is needed is a renewed focus on strategic priorities in teaching and learning. This involves consultations with students and staff and includes parents/guardians. We must reflect and respect all voices in order to strengthen relationships. I’m including what is learned from the Truth and Reconciliation agreement.
Our students need to be taught authentic Catholic faith formation. Students, teachers, administration, and even trustees should try to find a path to holiness. After COVID, many need mental health support along with faith. Our budget needs multi-year increased funding to support student learning recovery and well-being, especially those with special needs.
Also, the government needs to consider how they fund the construction of new schools. The actual cost can create significant shortfalls in budgets.They also must consider some action to correct the default “public” mechanism in the property assessments. Catholic tax designation must be indicated every time you move. Many seniors in our communities move from a house to an apartment and don’t realize that this must be done.
Much more needs to be discussed. Serving you is an honour.
Thank You - God Bless – Kathy,” she said.
Her education background is a business program from Georgian College and a theology course at Laurentian University.
Lindsay Liske
“Edith and I have two children, both of whom attended Sacred Heart in Espanola. Our six grandchildren have attended (graduated ) or are attending Catholic schools. Prior to my retirement in 2016, I was the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Espanola and District Credit Union. I bring 40-plus years of accounting and financial experience.
I have had the privilege of being a Catholic trustee for 25 years. (three years on the North Shore Separate School Board, and 22 years on the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board) Of those years, I am proud to say I have never missed a scheduled board meeting, and I am actively engaged in protecting Catholic education. The positions I have held at the board level are the chair of the board, vice chair of the board, chair of the special education advisory committee (SEAC), chair of the audit committee, chair of the policy committee, and numerous ad-hoc committees.
As for my platform as a trustee, you are entrusted with the education and well-being of all the students in Huron Superior Catholic District School Board catchment area. As a Catholic trustee, you must protect and safeguard Catholic education. As a trustee, you operate in a board that is governance orientated; you develop set policies to protect our students, employees, and Catholic education. In summary, my platform is to protect and provide the best education possible to all our students, protect Catholic education, and to develop policies through a Catholic lens to accomplish these tasks,” he said.
Liske has served as a director of the Sudbury Credit Union and sits as vice chair of the board.
Reginald Simon
“My desire to represent your family’s interest as a Separate School Trustee. I am a bilingual Indigenous Métis, a husband, a father, a grandfather and a member of Paroisse Ste Bernadette Parish in Elliot Lake for over 50 years. Along with my wife Carol, we raised our three children in Elliot Lake and supported the Catholic Education System. Our children have continued the tradition by sending their children to Catholic Schools in their own community.
I was a trustee on the Catholic School Board in the early years, but with the closure of the mines, I was forced to work out of town. I am a retired Mining Maintenance Supervisor and spend my free time doing maintenance at our Church as well as in the community when the need presents itself. My main concern is ensuring that the smaller rural communities receive adequate services (particularly special needs services) for all children in our schools, as well as the safety of children in rural areas.
I am also an advocate for bringing back School Board meetings to local areas so ratepayers can participate in providing input towards board decisions that affect services for their children. As it stands, all meetings of the board are held in the Sault.
I would like to thank the present trustees for their dedication and service to the board for many years. However, there comes a time when a change in representation brings new ideas and vitality to decision-making.
Please consider adding a new face to the leadership of the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions regarding my interest in running for board trustee at [email protected]."