The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) is the Catholic school board for the city of Hamilton, which includes the former Wentworth County. It currently operates 49 elementary schools and 7 secondary schools, along with one continuing education school.
History
The Hamilton Separate School Board (HSSB) was established in 1855 and the seven other boards were formed for the next 114 years in Wentworth County. In 1969, the boards became known as the Hamilton-Wentworth Roman Catholic Separate School Board (HWRCSSB).[4]
Following the Ontario government's passage of the Fewer School Boards Act of 1997, the HWRCSSB became the English-language Separate District School Board No. 47 in 1998 and was renamed to the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board (HWCDSB) in 1999. French language schools operated by its francophone unit, the Le conseil des écoles séparées catholiques romaines de Hamilton-Wentworth became part of French-language Separate District School Board No. 58, which later became the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud.[4]
The school board currently operates 57 schools.[5]
The HWCDSB consists of 9 trustees elected from wards across the City of Hamilton. These wards either match or are the combination of multiple municipal wards for council elections. Trustees are elected for a four-year term during each municipal election. The last election for trustees was held on October 22, 2018. The next election for trustees will be held on October 24, 2022.
Catholic school trustees are expected to advance the goal of Catholic education, participate in their parish, and "provide support, encouragement and prayer for the efforts of all persons engaged in the ministry of Catholic Education", in accordance with the HWCDSB's Trustee Code of Conduct.[6]
