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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 8, 2008 - 3 Tears shed as education director announces retirement Director guided Halton Catholic school board for past seven years By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Lou Piovesan, Director of the Halton Catholic District School Board, is retiring. The man who sat at the helm for the past seven years through controversy, adulation, funding cuts and countless debates, choked up while reading his formal letter of resignation at Tuesday's (Feb. 5) regular board meeting. "This is harder than I thought," said Piovesan. He became especially tearful when expressing his indebtedness and gratitude to his wife, Peggy and children, Investigation into manhole deaths given to lawyers The investigation into the deaths of two men killed in an Oakville manhole last summer has concluded. Ontario Ministry of Labour spokesperson Bruce Skeaff says the Ministry's investigation is now in the hands of lawyers. "That's all I can tell you as of now," Skeaff said. A 33-year-old Brampton man and a 52-year-old Binbrook man died in June of 2007 while working in a manhole at Third Line and North Service Road. They were inside a Bell Canada manhole to run communications wires for Bell Canada, and were later found unconscious. The men had no vital signs when they were removed from the manhole by the Oakville Fire Department's Rope Rescue Unit. The workers were rushed to Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Halton Regional Police said the investigation took some time to begin as investigators did not go inside the manhole due to poor air quality levels caused by a toxic fume. "for their steadfast support and patience over these many years." Piovesan received a standing ovation after his announcement from trustees, senior staff and a full gallery of parents gathered in the chambers. By the time a long line of staff and trustees finished offering their personal goodbyes, Piovesan had more than two dozen carnations in his grasp, one from each well wisher. His retirement notice, which takes effect Aug. 31, was received and accepted with regret by the board. "I am truly grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to work collaboratively within a Catholic learning community of trustees, staff, students, parents, and pastors who are committed to the mission in Catholic education," said Piovesan. This year marks 41 years in education for Piovesan ­ 34 of them in a leadership Lou Piovesan role with the Halton board. He joined the school board in September 1974, as an elementary school principal. He subsequently moved on to other senior positions including: school supervision services (French and English), human resources, curriculum services, adult learning and continuing education services, policy development, French language services and special education services for the French language section of the board. His legacy includes a long list of accomplishments in planning and establishing the board's junior kindergarten program in 1989, the elementary French immersion program and secondary extended French program, the computer education and drug education programs and the establishment of the continuing education/adult learning centres. Piovesan is also credited with guiding the development of board policies dealing with first aid, risk management in interschool sports, safe schools and school closures. He also invited student trustees to sit at the board table and revived the previously defunct board staff choir. Board chair, Alice Anne LeMay, who has known Piovesan for 27 years, described him as an outstanding advocate of Catholic education and respected community leader. With an "unwavering commitment" and "unyielding character" she said that Piovesan has exuded a calm determination and a strong sense of compassion for the people he serves and leads. "He will be missed," added LeMay. Trustees approved beginning a search for Piovesan's successor, who will be the fifth director of the board, which was formed in 1969, after the four municipal school boards in Halton amalgamated. Save up to 40% off Dimplex Celebrating 10 years of innovation Preston Rothbury 2 Units To Choose From While Supplies Last "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066 SIGN UP ON LINE www.ultimatedrivers.ca Our in-car sessions include training on highways, freeways, night-time, collision prevention and winter driving FREE pickup from home, work or school for car lessons Special preparation & evaluation for the Ministr y Road T est Fleet of new model cars, flexible time seven days a week DRIVING INSTRUCTION Cer tificate for highest insurance discount issued by MTO Classroom also available weekends Early Road T est arranged, G1 & G2 refresher courses $ 50 0FF Gift Certificates Available! 16 Years of Excellent Service "We Are Simply the Best" 905-8251172