January 25, 2021
Linda Staudt, Director of Education for the London District Catholic School Board, has announced her retirement, effective July 31, 2021.
Staudt has spent the past 8 years as Director of the LDCSB. During that time, the school board overcame a $6 million operating deficit, had enrollment increase from 18,000 to 22,000 students, opened two new schools with three more in the works and was named one of Canada’s 100 Best Employers. The increase in students has resulted in an unprecedented need for teachers and other staff.
“I will conclude my term as Director with the knowledge and confidence that the board is very well positioned in its people, finances and culture of service and ‘patient accompaniment’ to continue the excellent innovative work in progress and further launch new and exciting initiatives,” Staudt said. “I am very proud of the outstanding talent at all levels that we have developed within the board and also attracted from outside the board.”
Other initiatives under Staudt’s leadership included establishing a continuous improvement initiative based on LEAN standards, encouraging a welcoming culture at all levels, and developing and enhancing relationships with partners within the region, the province as well as on the national and international levels. The implementing of two successful multiyear strategic plans and Shaping Our Future helped manage current circumstances and have re-imagined and guided the school board into the future.
“For the remaining months I look forward to continuing work underway to put the board in the best position possible to welcome a more ‘normal’ new school year,” Staudt said.
Staudt’s career has spanned 36 years in London, Windsor and Toronto, including 10 years in the classroom, 10 years in school administration (vice-principal and principal), 8 years as a Superintendent (Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board and at the Ministry of Education in Toronto) and 8 years as Director of Education at the LDCSB.
“When Director Linda Staudt joined the LDCSB she was asked to be an agent of change and bring our Board to the next level,” said Linda Steel, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “These were big asks and challenges! She successfully met those challenges, despite some unexpected hurdles along the way – like a pandemic. In all situations, Linda asked and pursued “how can we do better?” Her faith-filled, collaborative, and unwaveringly positive leadership style inspired others to do more and better. She has truly modelled the Catholic Graduate Expectations. Linda’s love of our students has been evident in her every action. She is leaving this Board with a strong strategic road map to build on for years to come. LDCSB has been blessed with her humble, effective, caring Catholic leadership – and we are grateful.”
The LDCSB Board of Trustees will begin a formal search process for a new Director of Education in the coming weeks in order to have a new Director in place by the summer.
The London District Catholic School Board serves more than 22,000 students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. Operating 53 schools in a region of more than 7,000 square kilometers, the LDCSB is one of the largest employers in the region, with approximately 3,000 employees.
Staudt has spent the past 8 years as Director of the LDCSB. During that time, the school board overcame a $6 million operating deficit, had enrollment increase from 18,000 to 22,000 students, opened two new schools with three more in the works and was named one of Canada’s 100 Best Employers. The increase in students has resulted in an unprecedented need for teachers and other staff.
“I will conclude my term as Director with the knowledge and confidence that the board is very well positioned in its people, finances and culture of service and ‘patient accompaniment’ to continue the excellent innovative work in progress and further launch new and exciting initiatives,” Staudt said. “I am very proud of the outstanding talent at all levels that we have developed within the board and also attracted from outside the board.”
Other initiatives under Staudt’s leadership included establishing a continuous improvement initiative based on LEAN standards, encouraging a welcoming culture at all levels, and developing and enhancing relationships with partners within the region, the province as well as on the national and international levels. The implementing of two successful multiyear strategic plans and Shaping Our Future helped manage current circumstances and have re-imagined and guided the school board into the future.
“For the remaining months I look forward to continuing work underway to put the board in the best position possible to welcome a more ‘normal’ new school year,” Staudt said.
Staudt’s career has spanned 36 years in London, Windsor and Toronto, including 10 years in the classroom, 10 years in school administration (vice-principal and principal), 8 years as a Superintendent (Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board and at the Ministry of Education in Toronto) and 8 years as Director of Education at the LDCSB.
“When Director Linda Staudt joined the LDCSB she was asked to be an agent of change and bring our Board to the next level,” said Linda Steel, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “These were big asks and challenges! She successfully met those challenges, despite some unexpected hurdles along the way – like a pandemic. In all situations, Linda asked and pursued “how can we do better?” Her faith-filled, collaborative, and unwaveringly positive leadership style inspired others to do more and better. She has truly modelled the Catholic Graduate Expectations. Linda’s love of our students has been evident in her every action. She is leaving this Board with a strong strategic road map to build on for years to come. LDCSB has been blessed with her humble, effective, caring Catholic leadership – and we are grateful.”
The LDCSB Board of Trustees will begin a formal search process for a new Director of Education in the coming weeks in order to have a new Director in place by the summer.
The London District Catholic School Board serves more than 22,000 students in Kindergarten to Grade 12. Operating 53 schools in a region of more than 7,000 square kilometers, the LDCSB is one of the largest employers in the region, with approximately 3,000 employees.