NEWS RELEASE
SIMCOE MUSKOKA CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
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The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) is pleased to announce the acclamation of both Maria Hardie as board chair and Susan van Amelsvoort as vice-chair for the 2024-2025 school year.
Chair Hardie represents wards 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 in Barrie, while vice-chair Van Amelsvoort represents wards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Hardie has been a dedicated trustee since 2010, previously serving four years as chair and four years as vice-chair. A Barrie resident, she and her husband, Michael, are proud parents of two children who graduated from the Catholic system. Before her election, Maria spent 22 years as an office administrator with SMCDSB, retiring from St. Nicholas Catholic School in Barrie.
Upon her acclamation, Hardie shared, “Thank you for entrusting me with the chair position. I am deeply honoured. I look forward to working with all of you to meet the challenges and opportunities of the coming year. Together, with your support and prayers we will lead with faith, integrity and excellence. We will foster an environment where every child can thrive academically and spiritually and succeed to their God-given abilities.”
Susan van Amelsvoort and her husband, Frank, are Barrie residents and have raised five children who graduated from SMCDSB schools. Susan has been the office manager of a local business for 10 years.
Van Amelsvoort, elected in 2022 as a trustee, also expressed gratitude.
“I want to thank my fellow trustees for entrusting me to the position of vice-chair for the next year. I look forward to working together to ensure the parents’ voices are heard and each child under our care has an opportunity to reach their God-given potential.”
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