The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board has appointed Stephen O’Sullivan as the new Director of Education and Secretary/Treasurer to the Board announced on Tuesday.
O’Sullivan assumes the role in August. He has been a Catholic educator for 23 years and held the role of Superintendent of Human Resources since 2021. He also served as the Superintendent of Faith and Equity and Clarington Family of Schools.
He started his teaching career with Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board and joined PVNC Catholic as a vice-principal in 2010. O’Sullivan has served as a vice-principal at St. Mother Teresa CES, St. Elizabeth CES and St. Thomas Aquinas CSS and as principal at St. Luke CES and St. Anthony CES.
“I feel very privileged and blessed to be chosen to lead Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board,” said O’Sullivan. “I want to build on the vision and strategic priorities that are already in place and continue to move the Board forward with a focus on student and staff well-being and achievement. We will continue to accompany our students as we fulfill the promise of Catholic education together.”
O’Sullivan holds a Masters of Religious Education from the University of St. Michael’s College. He has earned an Osgoode Certificate in Education Law and in 2021 he completed the Learning Partnership Leadership Program from the Ivey Business School.
He is a chair of the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association Region One, a member of the Ontario Catholic School Business Officials Association and he sits on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network. Previously, O’Sullivan was on the executive council of the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario.
“We are excited to work with Steve as our new director. Steve spoke from the heart to the Board of Trustees about his vision, and the sharing of our Catholic faith,” said Kevin MacKenzie, board chairperson. “Through the many leadership roles he has taken on, he understands our system deeply and that was what truly stood out in the selection process.”
O’Sullivan and his wife Jennifer live in Peterborough with their two children, Jack and Taylor. He is a member of the Immaculate Conception parish and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
“In this leadership role I look forward to working collaboratively with our talented superintendents and all leaders at the Board office, our dedicated and passionate school administrators, educators and support staff, students, families, parish communities and the Diocese of Peterborough as we grow our capacity to nurture the faith of students and staff together,” said O’Sullivan.