Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

New interim director of education announced at Catholic board

Catherine McCullough will be taking on the role while the board continues its search for a candidate to fill the position permanently
Jessica Owen
Jessica Owen
2020-07-29 McCullough JO-001
Catherine McCullough will be acting as interim director of education for the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Contributed image

It will be a bit of a homecoming for Catherine McCullough.

McCullough has been named the interim director of education for the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, which was announced on Tuesday through a letter from board chair Joe Zerdin sent out to families and posted to the board’s social media.

“I feel like I am coming home – Simcoe Muskoka Catholic is where my heart is and already have such a strong connection with the people here. There are still a lot of familiar names and faces and I am looking forward to reconnecting with our wonderful school communities,” McCullough says in the letter.

McCullough served the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board for 17 years in several roles, including teacher, principal and superintendent of education. She was promoted to the position of director of education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and most recently has been working in a research and consultation capacity, sharing her expertise on leadership development in both the private and public sector.

She continues to work closely with school boards across the country on training programs which are focused on change management, organizational relationships and strong leadership.

“I know and love the culture of this board and I really believe that we will be well-positioned to address the challenges ahead. My priority is ensuring a smooth and safe transition back to school for our students and staff," McCullough says. "I am also a strong proponent of open, collaborative and frequent communication so that everyone has the information and knowledge they want and need, especially during this unprecedented time."

The permanent position has been posted and an independent agency is conducting a thorough recruitment process.

According to the letter, the board anticipates it will take a least a few months to permanently fill the position.

Brian Beal, the board’s previous director of education, is retiring Friday, July 31. Beal served as the director of education for the past nine years and began his career in 1984 as a teacher at York Catholic District School Board.