In recognition of National Custodian Day, October 2, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the Trustees would like to express to all members of the Custodial Staff, (Custodians, Assistants, Cleaners, and Casuals) its sincerest gratitude for all the hard work that was exhibited during the past year.

Your dedication to the Board and the pride you take in your work has contributed to the health and safety of our schools. The Board recognizes and appreciates your efforts in achieving and maintaining a high standard.

Zandra Zubac
Director of Education, SCDSB

Hugh Lee
Superintendent of Business and Finance, SCDSB

Rick Bartolucci, MPP for the City of Sudbury was in town Monday morning to make a major funding announcement to the four area school boards for the 2005-06 school year and to reaffirm the McGuinty government’s commitment to spend more than $20 million for Sudbury Schools to support the New Era of Student Progress. “Area school boards will this year receive budget increases totaling $20,019,921,” stated Bartolucci at a Press Conference held at North Eastern Elementary. The money, which is part of a second full year of an extraordinary province-wide $8.3 billion, four-year increase in publicly funded schools will help ensure stability and a new era of progress for kindergarten to Grade 12 students.

• Sudbury Catholic District School Board will receive an additional $2,496,840 (projected increase of 4.3%)
• Conseil scolaire du District du Grand Nord de l’Ontario will receive $2,981,983 (projected increase of 8.2 percent)
• Conseil scolaire du District catholique du Nouvel-Ontario will receive $4,153,910 (projected increase of 5.1 percent)
• Rainbow District School Board will receive an additional $10,387,188 (projected increase of 8 percent)

“The McGuinty government has increased funding by more than $900 per pupil since taking office to provide smaller class classes, more individual support, new resources and more opportunities for high school students. Funding for more than 3,100 new teachers leads the expansive list of new investments this year,” announced Bartolucci. “Province-wide, the increase for 2005-06 will total $820 million, including $50 million in reinvestments generated by savings paid for by reforms in the funding formula. This boost, combined with ongoing funding, will bring our total education investment this year to $17.2 billion. Targeted investments will support more results for students in strategic priority areas, including literacy and numeracy skills for elementary students and more help for struggling high school students,” concluded Bartolucci.

Hugh Lee, Superintendent of Business and Corporate Affairs for the SCDSB welcomes the $2.5 million in additional funding. “The infusion of the $2.5 million for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board is of great significance. It means more money for our Grade 9 One to One Laptop Program, for Early Literacy and Junior Literacy Programs and Teacher Development,” stated Lee.

Zandra Zubac, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board received a special award of merit from the Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPWC) of Sudbury recently for her significant contribution to education. The gala evening was a high point in the club’s history, celebrating 60 years of business and friendship. In recognition of this milestone anniversary the BPWC recognized “Women in Leadership in the Sudbury Community.” The awards ceremony was devoted to celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of working women. Over 30 women from the educational, health, legal, communication and political sectors were honoured throughout the evening.

Zandra Zubac is extremely pleased to have been selected as one of the recipients of the ‘”Women In Leadership Award.” She believes that, ”Women in Education should have a strong love of people, good work habits, a commitment to ongoing personal and professional learning, and a belief that you must never give up on your students.” Although the position of Director is an extremely busy one, Zandra continues to make her family and friends her top priority. She is an active member of her parish, St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, and a volunteer with the Serbian Heritage Program.

Zandra received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Laurentian University, and a Bachelor of Education Degree from Nipissing University. She has
also acquired a Masters of Arts Degree in Education from Central Michigan University and a Catholic Leadership Certificate from St.
Michael’s University, (University of Toronto). Zandra began her career as an educator with the Sudbury Catholic District School Board in the elementary panel as French program teacher. She was principal and vice-principal at six of the Board’s elementary and secondary schools before moving onto the position of Superintendent of Education in the fall of 1996 and Director of Education in 2002. Zandra’s chief duties as Director of Education are to liaise with the SCDSB elected trustees, to implement government directives at the system level, and to improve student achievement in collaboration with the Board’s “Partners in Education.”

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board would like to congratulate
Zandra Zubac on her dedication to education and her special award of
merit in recognition of the “Women in Leadership Award.”