"Catholic Board proposes deal with city" (Oshawa Express-2017)
"Durham Catholic Trustee wants gps system in buses" (durhamregion.ca)
(DurhamRegion.com) June 13, 2017
"Durham Catholic board passes "Very Positive budget"
DURHAM — Trustees for the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) have given final approval to the 2017/2018 budget.
The budget was passed on June 12, at the board’s last meeting of this school year.
This year’s budget totals $274,485,819, which breaks down to $245,271,906 for operating costs and $29,213,913 for other costs such as capital projects.
DCDSB superintendent Ryan Putnam described it as “very positive” overall, noting the budget is balanced with no staff layoffs, no major cuts and some modest reserves.
One major highlight is “significant” funds from the province to hire additional staff, including eight-and-a-half educational assistant positions, two special education teachers and two English as a second language teachers.
There is also funding earmarked to hire additional early childhood educators for kindergarten classrooms, allowing the DCDSB to decrease its average kindergarten class size to 24 from 25.
Putnam says stabilizing enrolment, coupled with $600,000 in annual savings from the regional bell time review and additional funding from the province have allowed the board to “absorb some pressure,” creating a more stable financial picture than in past years.
Trustee Theresa Corless, who chairs the board’s finance committee, praised this year’s budget consultation process, which she said allowed the “collective voice” of the community — from parents to religious leaders — to be heard.
"Durham school board trustee report cards
An annual evaluation by the Metroland Media Group's Durham Region Division of how local politicians are serving taxpayers DurhamRegion.com•
July 03, 2015
Theresa Corless
Oshawa trustee
This year’s grade: B+
Last year’s grade: B
Attendance: 8/8 board
Expenses: $2,250.18
Trustee Theresa Corless was elected vice-chairwoman of the board this year and is doing a good job in this leadership role. She speaks up often at board meetings, asking questions about key issues such as enrolment and school utilization. She is a strong advocate for protecting Oshawa schools from closure and often raises everyday concerns from parents, such as ECO school initiatives that prevent students from throwing out uneaten food at school, and a review of how medication for anaphylactic and asthmatic students is stored.
Jun 27, 2012 Oshawa This Week
Theresa Corless
Oshawa Trustee
This year's grade: B
Trustee Theresa Corless has bounced back from a somewhat controversial 2010-2011 when another trustee alleged that she was not a Catholic ratepayer and later withdrew the motion. This year she asks questions, provides opinions on certain issues and brings forward motions. For example, she had the board conduct a cost benefit analysis for the implementation of an alternative school year program. Trustee Corless was also in the minority that voted to have public question period opened when there was some confusion around the policy, and trustees thought it wasn't allowed. She looks out for students and inquired about the overcrowding of buses at Monseigneur Paul Dwyer Catholic High School and had director Paul Pulla look into the issue. She also sits on the most committees: the special education advisory committee, the supervised alternative learning committee, and the parent involvement committee. Her clear effort this year resulted in her grade increase.
Attendance: Board meetings, 11/11, Special Board, 5/5
Expenses: $3,335.89
Last year's grade: C+
Jul 07, 2011 Oshawa This Week
Theresa Corless
Oshawa DCDSB trustee
This year's grade: C+
Last year's grade: N/A
Attendance: board meetings, 9/9
Expenses: $69.48
Trustee Theresa Corless saw some controversy in her first few months as an elected official, after a notice of motion which thrust her religion and taxpayer status into the limelight. She handled herself well despite the allegations, doing her best to keep the issue from distracting from the work the board needs to be doing. After the motion was withdrawn Trustee Corless accepted the apology offered by board chairman Jim McCafferty gracefully, but mentioned she wished it had come from the trustee who issued the notice of motion, Mary Ann Martin. The single comment was the only thing she said about the trustee who raised the allegations against her, proving she has a thick skin. Hopefully in the years to come Trustee Corless will speak up a little more at the board table when educational issues are brought forward.
