The Huron‑Superior Catholic District School Board will have its chief executive officer serve simultaneously as interim chief education officer, a move the board says prevents a rise in administrative spending after the province introduced new statutory requirements for board leadership.
Board consolidates leadership roles
Fil Lettieri, who was named the board’s chief executive officer on July 2, was appointed at a special meeting to act concurrently as interim chief education officer, or CEdO. The change follows the provincial Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, which redefines the roles of English‑language school board directors and places a stronger emphasis on improving student achievement through expertise in effective teaching practices.
In a report to trustees, Lettieri cited guidance from the Ministry of Education and the practical realities of board finances in explaining the decision. The ministry’s new legislation requires CEOs to have business qualifications and to ensure boards remain financially sound while also directing efforts toward student outcomes.
"The minister of education has really stressed to CEOs that we need to be focused on student achievement," Lettieri told SooToday.
Board documents note that the provincial government did not provide additional funding to support the creation of a separate CEdO position. The board framed the dual appointment as a responsible approach to managing limited resources while maintaining focus on classroom results.
How other boards are responding
The Huron‑Superior report also refers to a survey conducted by the Council of Ontario Directors of Education indicating that many CEOs across the province intend to serve in both capacities. As of July 3, 32 of 52 responding CEOs signalled they planned to hold both roles concurrently.
| Responding CEOs | Planned concurrent CEO/CEdO roles |
|---|---|
| 52 | 32 |
The report to trustees said the board will continue to monitor whether a dedicated CEdO position becomes necessary and feasible within the approved budget, and that any future appointment would be brought to the board for consideration.
Fiscal stewardship versus dedicated instructional leadership
The dual role reflects a tension built into the new provincial framework: CEOs are required to bring business and financial expertise to board leadership while the CEdO role is meant to concentrate on advancing teaching and learning. In practice, combining the responsibilities is one way boards are responding when no extra provincial funding is available.
Board officials have argued that keeping the roles together can avoid increases in administrative costs, an important consideration for districts managing limited budgets. The Huron‑Superior report emphasised the board’s commitment to "equitable stewardship of our financial resources" as rationale for the decision.
At the same time, the legislation’s emphasis on instructional expertise for the CEdO underscores a provincial expectation that effective teaching practices take centre stage in day‑to‑day system leadership. How boards balance those expectations while maintaining fiscal discipline will shape local approaches to professional support for schools and students.
Next steps and accountability
- Huron‑Superior will maintain Lettieri as CEO and interim CEdO while assessing whether a separate CEdO is required in the future.
- The board has committed to informing trustees of any subsequent decision to create a dedicated CEdO position if it can be accommodated within the approved budget.
- Across Ontario, at least 32 of 52 responding CEOs reported plans to serve in both roles as of early July, according to the Council of Ontario Directors of Education survey cited in the board report.
The board said it is supported by "an incredible team of supervisory officers and school leadership" who share the vision of prioritising student achievement. How that team will operate under a single senior leader fulfilling both financial and pedagogical accountabilities will be watched by parents, educators and trustees as school systems adapt to the new legislative framework.
