Endorsements

“Working with Carol Cotton means working with someone with experience AND compassion. Carol has been an active and positive presence in our schools for over 20 years and Catholic School Councils have called upon her knowledge and guidance to assist them in setting strategies and goals. She makes the time to visit our schools and to brainstorm ideas with us for parent engagement and school improvement… simply put, when parents ask for help, Carol’s there!

Carol is an excellent advocate for Catholic education and is committed to its preservation in Ontario. She willingly shares her leadership and practical experience and is dedicated to students and parents. We are very fortunate to have Carol Cotton representing our community!”

Mary Giardina
CSC Chair, St. Augustine CHS
Community Rep, York Catholic Parent Involvement Committee

“Of all the trustees on the York Catholic District School Board it was Carol Cotton who first made it a priority to connect with myself upon my election as a Student Trustee. This seems most fitting as Carol’s mantra on all things board-related is to be proactive and to influence positive change. Never shy to challenge her colleagues to consider new approaches, Carol is an ever present and incredibly respected trustee of the Board. Her influence is felt on the provincial stage and also among students, who see her as someone who works hard to make their education, in one way or another, better than it was the day before!”

Michael Pallotto
Former YCDSB Student Trustee

“It has been my distinct pleasure to work closely with Carol Cotton at the provincial board table for many years. Her inquisitive intelligence helped us to solve many issues while keeping our focus on the protection of fully funded Catholic Education in Ontario. I could always count on Carol to step-up and to stand-up for the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. Carol’s passion for her faith and for keeping Christ at the heart of all of our discussions was always in evidence. I am proud to have worked with such a strong leader in Catholic Education who is committed to the growing success of students in Catholic schools both within York region and across the province. Catholic Education needs Carol’s experience and continued leadership.”

Kathy Burtnik
Past-president Ontario Catholic School Trustee Association

"Carol Cotton is an outstanding Catholic Trustee who has provided exemplary leadership as both Vice Chair and Chair of the Board. Her commitment to excellence, collaboration and respect for others has earned her great respect from constituents, colleagues and staff.

Throughout my career at YCDSB I have had the privilege of working closely with Carol in a variety of situations. She is always well prepared, open to new ideas (though mindful of their alignment to budgets and the strategic plan) and doesn’t hesitate to request information that will assist her in making informed decisions that have a positive impact on student achievement.

I have directly observed Carol Cotton’s outstanding leadership throughout many areas of board operation. Of special note are her contributions to EREAC (elementary religious education), parent engagement (YCPIC), student voice, budgeting/ financial planning, policy development and strategic planning. I have every confidence that Carol will energetically continue these efforts in pursuit of success for each and every one of our students.

Carol Cotton is a stellar Trustee and a person of integrity and profound insight and I am proud to offer this endorsement. Her re-election will help to ensure that the YCDSB reaches new levels of excellence in the coming years."

Pat Preston
Former Director of Education YCDSB
Unionville Resident

“It was a pleasure for our Catholic School Council to work with our Trustee, Carol Cotton. She was always responsive to our ideas, offered helpful feedback and supported our special projects for school improvement. While I served as Chair, Carol proactively organized a professional development session for the council members in her area. It was a wonderful opportunity to discuss issues that we’ve all encountered and to share creative solutions. As our Trustee, Carol makes herself available for evening activities with parents, as a participant on our Accommodation Review committee, the York Catholic Parent Involvement committee and as a visitor to our CSC meeting.”

Diane Scaini
Former Catholic School Council Chair
St. Rene-St. Luke CES

“Carol Cotton was a great mentor to me as a Student Trustee. She valued my opinion as a student and helped me to ensure that my voice and the needs of students were heard at the board table. Carol’s passion for education and dedication to student success makes her a vital leader at the York Catholic District School Board… we need her there!”

Kara Waites
Former YCDSB Student Trustee