Senior Administration
Fil Lettieri
Director of Education
Fil.Lettieri@hscdsb.on.ca
Fil began his career with the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board in 2007 as a teacher in Blind River.
He briefly returned to Sault Ste. Marie to teach in the secondary panel in 2010.
He transitioned to his first leadership role as principal in 2013 in Elliot Lake and returned to Sault Ste. Marie to continue this role in 2016. Fil was later named the principal of the newly opened St. Basil Elementary School, where he remained from September 2017 until his appointment as Superintendent of Education in February 2022.
Fil graduated from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and a Bachelor of Education and holds a Masters of Education degree.
A parishioner of Precious Blood Cathedral, Fil is a lector, usher and Eucharistic Minister.
Fil is a member of the Board of Directors for St. Vincent de Paul in Sault Ste. Marie.
Prior to being named Director of Education, Fil was a Superintendent of Education and a member of the CPCO Executive, most recently serving as the unit President. In addition, he was an instructor for CPCO’s Principal’s Qualification Program.
Includes, but is not limited to:
Communications Department
- Advertising, marketing and promotions
- Board annual reports
- Media releases
- Public displays (e.g., registration)
- Social media strategy
- Updates to board / school websites
Programs & Activities
- Approvals (e.g., conferences, external visitors)
- Board Meetings
- Board Responses – media, task forces
- Governance Issues
- Inclement Weather
- Liaison – ministry, agencies, other boards
- Principal’s meetings
- Professional Development for Trustees
- Public Relations
- School Effectiveness Framework Lead
- School Year Calendar Consultations
- Staff Faith Development
- Strategic Planning
Student Mental Health
- Education Community Partnership Programs
- Mental Health Action Plan
- Mental health protocols and supports
- Pastoral Response
- Re-engagement and school attendance counselling
- Student and family counselling
- Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol
Committee Lead
- Admin Council
- Board Marketing Committee
- First Nations Advisory Committee
- Focus on Faith Committee
- Policy Committee
- Senior Team
- Student Senate
- Student Trustees
- Well-Being Committee
Joe Chilelli
Superintendent of Education
Joe.Chilelli@hscdsb.on.ca
Joe joined the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board in September of 1995.
Throughout his years with the board, he has served in the role of teacher, principal and, most recently, as a Superintendent of Education. Joe and his wife Christine are proud parents of Victoria and Andrew.
Parishioners of St. Gerard Majella Parish, Joe and his family have served in a number of ministries. Currently, Joe sits on the parish finance committee and serves as an usher at the 11:00 a.m. mass.
Joe is very community-minded and has served on a number of community boards and committees, including two full terms as a governor at Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology.
A lifelong learner, Joe holds four university degrees, including a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Nipissing University.
Joe also earned a Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University.
Includes, but is not limited to:
Board Math Lead
- Development, implementation and monitoring of the Board’s Math Achievement Plan
- Development of Math resources for parents
- EQAO Assessments and Analysis
- Liaison with the Ministry of Education Math Achievement Action Plan
- Math professional development opportunities for educators
- Numeracy (K-12)
Schools
- Holy Family, Sault Ste. Marie
- Our Lady of Fatima, Chapleau
- Our Lady of Fatima, Elliot Lake
- Our Lady of Lourdes FI, Elliot Lake
- St. Augustine FI, Wawa
- St. Mary’s, Blind River
Programs & Activities
- Athletics – Elementary
- Catholic School Councils
- Home Schooling
- STEAM Lab
- Summer Learning Program – Elementary
- Tutors in the Classroom
Committee Lead
- Athletics Committee – Elementary
- Digital Learning Steering Committee
- Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)
STEPHANIE Circelli
Superintendent of Education
Stephanie.Circelli@hscdsb.on.ca
Stephanie, a proud graduate of the HSCDSB system, brings over 25 years of rich experience in education. Her teaching journey began with the Board as a student teacher on placement and she taught Grade 10 science and math in the summer of 1999.
Her career then took her to London, Ont., where she became an integral part of the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB). Her roles at LDCSB have been diverse, including secondary school teacher, student success teacher, vice-principal, and principal.
Before beginning her Superintendent role with the Board, she was the Superintendent of Education with LDCSB. In that role, she held various portfolios, such as safe schools, mental health and well-being, special education, Catholicity, equity and Indigenous education. She was also a field supervisory officer, overseeing 15 elementary and three secondary schools, supporting principals with instructional leadership and operations.
As a lifelong learner, Stephanie holds three university degrees, including a Master’s in Education in International School Leadership, which she gained from Charles Sturt University in Australia. She also has qualifications in special education, guidance and religion.
Includes, but is not limited to:
Curriculum Department
- Early Intervention (K – 3)
- Experiential Learning
- French-as-a-Second Language (FSL)
- Indigenous languages and programs (NSL)
- Kindergarten programs
- Literacy (especially K – 12)
- Multi-Lingual Learner programs (MLL)
- Religious and Family Life Education
- School libraries/learning commons
SCHOOLS
- Holy Angels Learning Centre, Sault Ste. Marie
- Holy Cross, Sault Ste. Marie
- St. Kateri Outdoor Learning Centre, Sault Ste. Marie
- St. Mary’s College, Sault Ste. Marie
Student Success Lead
- Adult and Continuing Education
- Alternative Education
- Dual Credit Programs
- Graduation Support for Indigenous Students
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Programs
- School College Work Initiative (SCWI)
- Secondary Programming
- Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
- Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL)
Programs & Activities
- Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting
- Athletics – Secondary
- Daycares and Before/After School Programs
- Early Learning and Best Start Programs
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Indigenous Education
- International Education
- Outdoor Education (K –12)
- Pathways Planning
- Summer Learning Programs – Secondary
Committee Lead
- Athletics Association Committee
- Indigenous Education Committee
- International Education Committee
- Outdoor Education Committee
- Secondary Program Team
- Supervised Alternative Learning Committee
Justin Pino
Superintendent of Business
Justin.Pino@hscdsb.on.ca
Justin joined the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board in December of 2020.
Justin is a graduate of the former St. Basil Secondary School, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Administrative and Commercial Studies from the University of Western Ontario and has attained professional titles of Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Management Accountant.
Holding a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors. Justin’s most recent position was that of Chief Financial Officer, Director of Operations and Chief Privacy Officer with Algoma Public Health. Previously he worked in the finance department at Algoma Steel.
Justin has been active in Precious Blood Cathedral parish and with the Centre for Social Justice and Good Works. A former Junior ‘A’ Hockey Scholastic Player of the Year, Pino now coaches minor hockey.
Includes, but is not limited to:
Business Department
- Accounting
- Audits
- Banking
- Benefits
- Budgeting
- Enrolment reporting
- Payroll
- Purchasing
- School fundraising and cash handling
- Education service agreements with First Nations
Information Technology Department
- Acquisition of hardware and software
- Data submissions
- Installation and deployment of devices
- Network management and maintenance
- Privacy and security of information (PIM)
- Support and training on systems
Plant Services Department
- Building accessibility and security
- Capital enhancements, planning, and projects
- Energy use and reduction
- Maintenance and repairs of facilities
Programs & Activities
- Board Insurance
- Cafeteria
- Catholic Education Foundation
- Community Use of Schools
- Courier (i.e., approval/distribution)
- Disaster Recovery Planning
- Legal Matters
- School Accommodation / Viability Reports
- Student Accident Reports
- Transportation
Committee Lead
- Accessibility Planning Committee
- Audit Committee
- Catholic Education Foundation
- Transportation Governance Committee
franca spadafora
Superintendent of Education
Franca.Spadafora@hscdsb.on.ca
Franca began her teaching career in 1997 with the Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board. Franca desired to return to her hometown of Sault Ste. Marie where many family and friends resided. She was hired in 1999 by Huron Superior Catholic District School Board to teach French at St. Mary’s French Immersion. Since her date of hire she has fulfilled many roles such as classroom teacher, learning resource teacher, enhanced learning strategies teacher, vice-principal and principal.
Franca attended Lakehead University where she graduated from their Concurrent Education Program with a major in French Language. Franca continued her education and attained specialists in Religious Education and Special Education. In 2007, she received her Master of Education with a focus on Educational Leadership through Nipissing University.
Throughout the last eighteen years, Franca served in administrative roles as vice-principal at St. Mary’s French Immersion, St. Francis French Immersion, St. Basil, and principal of Our Lady of Lourdes. Most recently, Franca was appointed Superintendent of Education – Board Math Lead on August 1, 2023.
Franca and her family are active parishioners of St. Gregory’s Parish. Franca understands the importance of helping others as she continues to volunteer in meal preparation for St. Vincent Place. Throughout the years, Franca has helped organize and facilitate a number of fundraisers to help those in need.
Includes, but is not limited to:
SPECIAL Education Department
- Assessment and diagnosis of special education needs
- Children and Youth in Care supports
- Educational Assistant school allocations
- Joint Protocol for Student Achievement
- Jordan’s Principle Applications
- Partnerships with agencies/facilities
- Processes, protocols, and policies
- Special Equipment Allowance (SEA)
- Special Incidence Portion (SIP) funding
- Specialized programs and services
- Speech and language services
- Third Party Providers in Schools
Schools
- St. Basil, Sault Ste. Marie
- St. Mary’s FI, Sault Ste. Marie
- St. Francis FI, Sault Ste. Marie
Programs & Activities
- Hockey Canada Skills Academy
- Home Instruction
- Managing Information for Student Achievement (MISA)
- Special Admissions (e.g., Out-of-Zone and Non-Catholic Applications)
- Summer Learning for Students with Special Education Needs (i.e., Summer Transition Program)
Health & Safety
- Emergency Planning and Response
- Employee Training (e.g., Safe Schools Portal, Safety Releases, etc.)
- Pandemic Planning and Protocol Development
- Violent Risk Assessments
- Workplace Inspections
- Workplace Violence and Harassment
Safe & Healthy Schools
- Breakfast and Nutrition Programs
- Child Abuse Prevention/Reporting
- Police Protocols
- Statistical Reports (e.g., suspensions)
- Suspension/Expulsion Appeals
- Student Injury Prevention
- Violence and Harassment Reports
Committee Lead
- Joint Health and Safety Committee
- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
- Safe and Healthy Schools Committee
- Suspension/Expulsion Committee
SYNDY Withers
Superintendent of Education
Syndy.Withers@hscdsb.on.ca
Syndy began her career in education in 1998 as an elementary school teacher at Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School in Espanola, Ont. She served as a classroom teacher for JK to Grade 7 until 2005, when she became the Enhanced Learning Strategies teacher for the East school district for two years.
In 2007, she became the Learning Resource teacher at Sacred Heart and also served as the vice-principal. Before beginning her role as Superintedent of Education, Syndy was the principal of Sacred Heart for 16 years.
As a lifelong learner, Withers holds three university degrees, including a Master of Education. She has also been a local executive member of the Catholic Principals Council of Ontario since 2016, representing the East District principals and vice-principals.
Includes, but is not limited to:
Human Resources Department
- Contract negotiations
- Grievances, mediations, and arbitrations
- Human Resources Analytics
- Labour relations
- Negotiations
- Recruitment and retention
- Staffing
- WSIB
SCHOOLS
- Holy Name of Jesus, Hornepayne
- Our Lady of Lourdes, Sault Ste. Marie
- St. Basil, White River
- Sacred Heart, Espanola
- St. Mary, Massey
- St. Paul, Sault Ste. Marie
Programs & Activities
- College Student Placements (e.g., ECE, CYW, OT, PT)
- Employee Attendance Support
- Employee Assistance Program
- Leadership Development and Succession Planning (i.e., Vice-Principals’ Meetings)
- New Teacher Induction Program
- P/VP Mentoring Program
- Professional Development Days
- Student Teacher Placements
Committee Lead
- Professional Development (CUPE, OSSTF)
- Joint PD Committee (OECTA)
- Joint Staffing Committee
- Leadership Development Committee
- New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) Committee
- Teacher Education Advisory Committee (TEAC)
Our Organizational Chart
The Administration Team for the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board is comprised of six people with extensive experience in Catholic education and finance.
The Administration Team is charged with running the board’s day-to-day business and reporting to the Board of Trustees at regular monthly meetings at the Catholic Education Centre.
Click on the image to view a larger version of our Organizational Chart.
Executive Compensation
In the education sector, a competitive, fair, and responsible Executive Compensation Program is vital for
attracting and retaining the talented, innovative leadership required to ensure continued progress in student
achievement and success. Our proposed Executive Compensation Program balances the need to manage
compensation costs and the need to attract and retain the executive talent we seek.
Key sections in our proposed Executive Compensation Program include:
- Executive Compensation Philosophy
- Executive Accountability & Complexity Matrix
- Proposed Comparator Organizations
- Proposed Executive Compensation Framework
- Executive Pay Envelope and Maximum Rate of Increase
100 Ontario Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 1E3
P: 705-945-5400 • TF: 1-800-267-0754 • F: 705-945-5575 • frontdesk@hscdsb.on.ca