Kemptville, Ontario – Grenville County and Elizabethtown-Kitley Township Trustee Brent Laton has begun his fourth term as Chair of the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.  Mr. Laton was acclaimed to the position during the Inaugural Meeting of the Board on December 2, 2014. Entering his thirteenth year as a school board trustee, Mr. Laton thanked his fellow trustees for their ongoing confidence in his leadership.

Mr. Laton said he welcomed the opportunity to continue to represent the Board. “I would like to thank my fellow trustees for the opportunity to return to my role. I congratulate Trustee Lalonde, and I look forward to working with him again. I congratulate all trustees. This evening we celebrate Catholic education, and the many successes of our Board. I would like to thank our director, and executive council for their outstanding leadership, and I would like to thank our diocese for their ongoing and exceptional support. We continue our theme, Witnesses to Hope, and there are many reasons for us to look forward with hope. Our schools are recognized as top schools in the province, and I look forward to being part of our continued achievements.”

Cornwall Trustee Todd Lalonde was also acclaimed during the annual meeting, returning as Vice-Chair of the Board for the coming year. Mr. Lalonde is now in his ninth year of service as a trustee. “It is a privilege to continue to work with my fellow trustees and I thank you for allowing me to continue in this role. I look forward to continuing to be an advocate for this system, and to keep Catholic education at the forefront through our successes.”

Director of Education, Wm. J. Gartland, congratulated Mr. Laton and Mr. Lalonde. “I look forward to continuing the exceptional relationship that our administration has developed with all of our trustees. They continually demonstrate their commitment to Catholic education, and their work contributes to our Board’s reputation as a leader in this province. I know Mr. Laton and Mr. Lalonde will continue to provide excellent leadership at the Board table.”

The evening began with Mass, which was celebrated by Archbishop O’Brien of the Kingston Archdiocese. The Bishop offered his thanks to Trustees and senior administration for the work they do to preserve and protect Catholic education, and blessed all CDSBEO Trustees.

All Trustees made declarations and took oaths of allegiance during the meeting to begin their new four-year term of service. In accordance with the Board By-laws, specifically Article 2.02 (C) the Director of Education, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, declared the Board to be legally constituted for this term of office. The 2014-2018 CDSBEO Board of Trustees are the following:

Mr. Ron Eamer – Trustee, City of Cornwall and Glengarry County

Mrs. Nancy Kirby – Trustee, Lanark County

Mr. Todd Lalonde – Trustee, City of Cornwall and Glengarry County

Mr. Brent Laton – Trustee, Grenville County and Elizabethtown-Kitley Township

Mr. Robin Reil – Trustee, City of Brockville, Town of Smiths Falls, and Leeds County

Mrs. Karen McAllister – Trustee, Dundas and Stormont Counties

Mrs. Sue Wilson – Trustee, Prescott and Russell Counties

Ms. Brianna Workman – Catholic Student Trustee, 2014-2015