Vincent Iantomasi

In May 2022, Trustee Iantomasi was found to have violated the Trustee Code of Conduct and was consequently barred from board meetings for the remainder of his term. He did not attend the meetings related to the Code of Conduct as he was on medical leave. During the public meetings, it was said that he was informed of the breaches and that he sent an email refuting the claims.

Helena Karabela

Trustee Karabela opened with a prepared statement, which she was forced to stop on three separate occasions for questioning the motives of other trustees in raising this alleged breach of the Code of Conduct. She refuted the claims and said they were unfounded. As the subject of the alleged breach, Trustee Karabela was not allowed to participate in further discussion.

Peter DeRosa

The report that resulted from this motion called Trustee DeRosa out on numerous instances of dilatory and frustrating behaviour, including opposing meeting minutes and agendas without raising objections or corrections, going on long-winded speeches unrelated to the matters on the table, and asking unnecessary questions related to financial matters of the board. Trustee DeRosa also many times accused others of cutting him off and not giving him a chance to speak, when in reality, he spoke more during this motion than any other trustee.

Vincent Iantomasi

The report that resulted from this motion called Trustee Iantomasi out on numerous instances of dilatory and frustrating behaviour, including opposing meeting minutes and agendas without raising objections or corrections, arguing with the Chair on multiple occasions, and often incorrectly quoting pieces of legislation. He was also called out for regularly voting in a 'bloc' with Trustees O'Brien, Karabela, and DeRosa.

Patrick Murphy

Trustee Murphy, as Chair of the Board, tabled this motion. The resulting report absolved him of any bias and found him to be a fair and even Chair.

Helena Karabela

Trustee Karabela opposed this motion.

Vincent Iantomasi

Trustee Iantomasi voiced strong opposition to this motion, so much so that his disrespect and argumentativeness resulted in him being ejected from the meeting before the final vote.

Nancy Guzzo

Trustee Guzzo tabled this motion, which passed after much discussion and opposition. When the ad-hoc committee was formed, Trustee Guzzo was unanimously named Chair.

Vincent Iantomasi

In 2018, Trustee Iantomasi's platform while running for trustee included being against 'Sanctity of Life'. However, in 2022 he changed his position and voted in favour of the motion.

Helena Karabela

Trustee Karabela has tried multiple times to bring back the fundraising ban. When questioned by other trustees as to why she was continuing this fight when the will of trustees had been made clear, she simply replied, "Because I can."

Tim O'Brien

Trustee O'Brien voted in favour of this fundraising ban, one of only three trustees to do so. When later motions were thrown out for being out of order, he supported to appeals (which all failed).

Nancy Guzzo

Trustee Guzzo tabled this motion, citing the many advantages of specialized Arts programming, as well as the lack of any Arts programming in the local area. The motion will see a feasibility be presented in March 2023.

Peter DeRosa

Trustee DeRosa worried that we are again using a simple and symbolic solution to fix a long-term problem, and about the politics around the issue. He said that not supporting a short-term solution does not make people homophobic of prejudiced or insensitive or unloving; in fact, when we are responsible for kids, we are responsible for preparing them for life. When students leave us after four years, they carry their issues with them. However, the voice that keeps coming back is that the "benefit of the doubt" that the young student asked him to provide (referring to Nic Hotchkiss in their delegation). He did vote in favour of the motion in the end.

Nancy Guzzo

Trustee Guzzo, who has always been an ally and supporter, opened with a quote from Harvey Milk on equity, and then further spoke about using the Bible to justify hurtful and hateful comments against the 2SLGBTQ+ community. She said one cannot say "I accept you, but..." and that Jesus' love does not come with caveats. Trustee Guzzo affirmed that she is an ally, she loves you no matter what, is available to speak and to help, that she will take time to listen to you, support you, and respect you, and will always stand and fight for you. And lastly, to fly the flag.

Janet O'Hearn-Czarnota

With regard to Trustee O'Brien's amendment to also raise the Canadian Indigenous flag, she stated that we had not heard this from the Indigenous community and needed to consult them before making such a decision about them. When speaking to the main motion, Trustee O'Hearn-Czarnota reiterated what she said last year, that if even one student feels unsafe at school, that it's too much for her. She is tired of this issue being politicized, sexualized, and demonized - it instead needs to be humanized. She received many communications on both sides of the issue, but simply, if we are the reason that one student does not cry themselves to sleep because they don't feel invisible at school, then we must vote 'yes'. If we eliminate even one family from dealing with mental illness or the suicide of a child, then we must vote 'yes'. And f we can remove negative, we must vote 'yes'. It is a simple answer, and she will (and did) vote 'yes'.

Brenda Agnew

In her opening statement on her motion, Trustee Agnew said, "...the Flag is an internationally recognized way to recognize 2SLGBTQ+ members and failing to do so further stigmatizes this community; not about sex or sexual acts; not about turning back on religion or faith; not about politics - it's about people, love, and acceptance. Negative words and barbs from people who want to exclude the 2SLGBTQ+ community are not tolerated." Trustee Agnew shared a message received from a 2SLGBTQ+ staff member and how the support they received from staff and students, including coming out to their class, and the importance of Trustee Agnew's motion and the flag. Trustee Agnew finished by saying that there is no ability to say "I want to fly the flag, but..." there can be no but. Fly the flag.

Tim O'Brien

Trustee O'Brien tried to raise an amendment that would see both the Pride flag and the Canadian Indigenous flag raised in June, which failed. He further stated that as Catholics, we are taught to treat and accept each individual as a child of God. Parents expect our schools infuse Catholic teachings in all that we do. The appropriate symbol that represents our faith and the inclusion of others is the Cross, as the primary symbol of our faith, and that many boards wisely only fly the Canadian flag out of a sense of equity for all. He went on to say that there is a belief that unless one raises a secular symbol that they are being exclusive but this is not true. If they are bullied due to their sexual orientation, race, sex, or any other reason, we must address the situation and foster a culture of love and care. While he recognizes that Catholic teachings may clash with those of society such as sexuality, sanctity of life, social justice and other beliefs, those who are faithful are often ridiculed, mocked, and excluded, frequently the teachings of Jesus are not aligned with modern opinions. He voted against the motion.

Marvin Duarte

Chair Duarte stated that his goal has been student success. The pillars of achieve, believe, and belong, which align with Catholic teachings, and as members of the community we must proactively open our eyes and ears and extend our hand to those in our system who are falling through the cracks. He sees that there is a lot of misinformation and misrepresentation. He does not believe that we should change our core beliefs, or modify or water them down, or impose our beliefs on others, or let others impose their views on ours. We must understand that each individual is unique, recognize differences, and respect each other. If he is called to vote tonight, he will ask himself, what will Jesus want me to do? Chair Duarte did not cast a vote on the motion, as it had already passed 5-3 when it came his turn to vote.

Vincent Iantomasi

Trustee Iantomasi tried to have the motion thrown out, raised concerns about the logistics and legality of flying two flags, tried to send the motion for input from Bishop Crosby (one version disallowed and one amendment failed), and asked questions about other groups who want their flags flown for various other reasons and celebrations. He voted against the motion.

Helena Karabela

Trustee Karabela said nearly nothing the whole meeting, only asking to separate the motion into two votes, which failed. She voted against the motion.

Patrick Murphy

Trustee Murphy stated that our students and staff are telling us that we need to do more and asking us to fly the flag to affirm that we are committed to doing more, that by flying the Pride flag, that we are committed to acceptance and inclusion. There are some who disagree, but there are more questions: how does our Catholic faith teach us to treat those who identify to 2SLGBTQ+? We are taught to accept and value, as was introduced to us in training. Also what is our duty of care - your answer to Question 1 impacts Question 2. He believes we are called to value those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, as we are called to do with all people, and thus we must provide a safe and supportive environment. His duty as a trustee is to do good, and our duty as a board if not to do good is to at least do no harm. Our school community is telling us that we will be doing harm if we do not fly this flag. The lived experience we have heard tonight and in the last seven months tell us that we will do harm. He voted in favour of the motion.

Janet O'Hearn-Czarnota

Trustee O'Hearn-Czarnota amended Trustee Agnew's original motion to remove flying the Pride Flag at all schools, reducing the number of Safe Space posters from one per class to one per school, and adding a mandate for 2SLGBTQ+ training for all HCDSB staff.

Brenda Agnew

Trustee Agnew originally tabled the motion "Supporting Our Diverse School Community" in an effort to raise the Pride Flag at all HCDSB schools in June 2021. She argued strongly in favour of the original motion but was out voted resulting in an amended version being passed.

Peter DeRosa

Trustee DeRosa argued that a different flag, the same one raised by Waterloo Catholic District School Board in 2020, should be used in place of the Pride Flag. He made reference to ugliness from supporters of both sides of the debate.

Brenda Agnew

Trustee Agnew tabled this motion, arguing that bullying prevention and intervention needs to be an ongoing initiative at HCDSB, and not just addressed on an ad-hoc basis. The standing committee would allow HCDSB to be more proactive in addressing issues and strategies related to bullying.

Vincent Iantomasi

Trustee Iantomasi was the only trustee to vote against this motion. He did not provide any clear reason for opposing the motion.

Peter DeRosa

Trustee DeRosa argued against this motion because he did not want to be tied to writing the letter in cooperation with the HDSB. He ultimately abstained from the vote.

Nancy Guzzo

Trustee Guzzo tabled this motion, which passed. In her closing arguments, Trustee Guzzo argued, "This came from our female students, and our male students, and our non-identifying students, and our trans students, and our LGBTQ+ students, and they all wanted this. So why would we never say no to doing what's best for every student across our province? That's it."

Helena Karabela

Trustee Karabela recommended including a document title "Male and Female He Created Them" in order to add the Church's view on gender and gender identity to the Equity & Inclusion policy. The document was not used in formation of the policy.

Brenda Agnew

Trustee Agnew tabled this motion, which passed. The motion put into action an overhaul of the Board's efforts towards addressing Indigenous and Human Rights education communication to the community.

Tim O'Brien

Trustee O'Brien voted against the portions of this motion that included mandatory annual anti-racism training for staff and the Director of Education oversee the publishing of various Indigenous and Equity roadmaps published on the HCDSB website.

Tim O'Brien

Trustee O'Brien was the only trustee to vote against this motion. He did not ask any questions during the debate, nor did he offer any reasons for opposing the motion.

Nancy Guzzo

Trustee Guzzo tabled this motion and fought for the inclusion of the full range of gender identities and sexual orientations. She has always fought for the inclusion and representation of all students regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, or anything else.

Vincent Iantomasi

Trustee Iantomasi voted against this motion, which seeks to review diversity and representation across HCDSB's hiring practices.

Tim O'Brien

Trustee O'Brien, along with Trustee DeRosa, abstained from voting on this item, which only asked for a review of hiring practices and for protocols to be put in place to ensure future hires are representative.

Nancy Guzzo

Trustee Guzzo tabled this motion following numerous discussions and delegations around the lack of diversity across the HCDSB teaching staff. The motion passed.

Helena Karabela

Trustee Karabela voted against this motion, which seeks to review diversity and representation across HCDSB's hiring practices. She stated that this motion was unnecessary and would only add extra work to senior staff members.