CHAIRMAN STEPS DOWN AFTER FOURTEEN YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE

Rosemère, May 9, 2012 – Steve Bletas, Chairman of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board (SWLSB)
announced his resignation tonight during a special meeting of the Council of Commissioners. 
 
Mr. Bletas cited health issues as the primary reason for leaving the position he has successfully been elected to and held since 1998 in his 14R08;years as Chairman of SWLSB. 
 
Mr.  Bletas  was  instrumental  in  board  development,  in  negotiations  for  land  grants  and  other agreements with municipal authorities and provincial bureaucrats.  He was also instrumental in acquiring  funding  for  new  schools  in  Rawdon,  Blainville  and  Repentigny  as  well  as  renovation grants  for  schools  in  Chomedey  (John  F.  Kennedy  Elementary)  and  Duvernay  (Jules  Verne Elementary). 
 
One of the founding members of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier Foundation, Mr. Bletas mentions with pride the very successful fundraisers benefitting students and schools of the SWLSB territory. He has been a handsR08;on Chairman developing important and close ties with students, parents and municipal and provincial politicians over the last 14R08;years. “Sir Wilfrid Laurier has gone in a lot of positive directions under his Chairmanship,” said ViceR08;Chairman Carolyn Curiale.  
 
 “It is a difficult day for me, I have worked hard for SWLSB and my heart remains with the Board today  and  always.  I  was  elected  by  the  population  and  I  will  remain  on  the  Council  of Commissioners  until  the  next  elections,”  concluded  Bletas.  "I  would  like  to  thank  the  SWL 'family'  for  their  dedication  and  excellence,  and  I  look  forward  to  serving  the  Board  and  my constituents in this capacity.”
 
The Council of Commissioners will proceed with the replacement of the vacancy of the office of Chairman within the next 30 days. The ViceR08;Chairman, Carolyn Curiale will assume the functions and powers of the Chairman of the Council of Commissioners until then.
 
The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board offers educational services to more than 14,400 students in 38 schools and 5 Adult Education and Vocational Training centres and has a workforce of nearly 2,000 employees. 

 
Source:   Maxeen Jolin 
  Communications Coordinator,   Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
  235, montée Lesage, Rosemère (Québec) J7A 4Y6
mjolin@swlauriersb.qc.ca 
  450 621R08;5600, ext 1385
www.swlauriersb.qc.ca

The Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board strategic planning process includes various consultations to establish the orientations that will guide our actions over the next few years. This process will allow us to identify the issues and challenges that we will be facing as an organization devoted to student success.

The draft strategic plan that we are presenting today is the result of a fascinating and impressive teamwork between various players. Indeed, thanks to the invaluable contribution of all our partners, we were able to understand the specific issues facing our school communities and thus better meet the needs of our students at all levels as well as of our employees and milieu.

This plan revolves around the values that have been at the heart of our pedagogical and administrative decisions since 1998, and which aim at providing an environment where each student and employee can learn and grow, with respect for diversity, and where student success is the focus of all our initiatives.

Click here to consult the proposed Strategic Plan

All of our secondary schools provide an academic program of courses prescribed by the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS), leading to a Secondary School Diploma.

Contact Us :

For more information, please contact
Elizabeth Thibault
International Student Program Officer
Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
235, montée Lesage
Rosemère, QC
J7A 4Y6
Phone : 450 621 5600 ext. 1426
isp@swlauriersb.qc.ca