Randy Bissonnette, Principal of our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Pembroke, was elected to the position of president-elect on the 2015–2016 executive council of the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO). The new council was selected at the organization’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto on Saturday April 25.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to serve, advocate for, and lead Catholic principals and vice-principals across Ontario,” says Bissonnette, who has been involved as a member of CPCO since 2000. As a councillor on the CPCO Board in recent years, he has been involved in strategic planning and leadership of the organization.
The CPCO represents close to 2,200 principals and vice-principals from Catholic schools throughout the province, and has an executive council composed of nine members.
“Randy provides invaluable leadership and dedication to our board,” comments Michele Arbour, RCCDSB Director of Education. “I am confident he will be an excellent voice for the Catholic principals and vice-principals of Ontario.”
Bissonnette explains it is really a three-year commitment. After the first year as president-elect, he will serve as president for a year, visiting and supporting all 29 Catholic school boards in the province, being the voice of all principals and vice-principals and representing their interests with the Ministry of Education. In the third year, he will remain involved on the CPCO Board as the past-president, providing support to his successor. “The past-president is a valuable resource to the new president,” he notes.
Bissonnette has worked for the RCCDSB since 1989 and has been a principal for 15 years. Before arriving at Our Lady of Lourdes in the fall of 2010, he was principal at Our Lady of Sorrows in Petawawa for five years.
Bob Michaud, RCCDSB Chair, congratulated Bissonnette on the appointment, adding that he has long been recognized as an exceptional leader as well as a team player. “Over the last 26 years with our Board, Randy has consistently demonstrated the commitment, qualities and skills that will ensure his success in this new role as a leader on the CPCO executive council.”
Bissonnette is the first principal from the RCCDSB to hold the president-elect/president position on CPCO and says his appointment reflects well of the leaders and those he works with at the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board. “It is quite an honour and a privilege to serve in this capacity.”
May 4, 2015
For further information, please contact: Michele Arbour, Director of Education Renfrew County Catholic District School Board 499 Pembroke Street West, Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1 Phone: 613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-0191
