New Waterloo Catholic school board chair appointed amid Pride flag debates

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) announced that a new board of trustees chair was appointed Monday night. 

Renée Kraft, one of four Kitchener/Wilmot trustees, was voted in during a special board meeting. Former chair Robert Sikora stepped down suddenly in late March but remains a trustee for Cambridge. 

"Chair Kraft brings valuable experience, strong leadership and a deep commitment to Catholic education," said a news release from the board.

Kraft steps into the role as the board faces scrutiny for a notice of motion that would ban all flags on WCDSB properties that aren't Canadian, Ontarian or have the school board logo. 

The motion has received mixed reviews, with some in support and others opposed to the idea that Pride flags and other symbols of inclusivity could be banned from WCDSB properties. The motion is set to be discussed by trustees at the meeting on April 28. 

When Sikora resigned, the board appointed vice-chair Linda Cuff as acting chair until the election. 

The board's release also thanked Sikora for his service. He had held the position since November 2023.

WATCH | 2nd rally held to protest Catholic school board's motion to ban Pride flags: 

2nd rally held to protest Catholic school board's motion to ban Pride flags

8 days ago

Duration 0:52

A handful of protestors attended a rally on Monday afternoon ahead of a meeting by trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) to address its flag policy. There were people there demonstrating on both sides of the issue. The trustees are debating whether to ban all flags except for the Canadian, Ontario and school board flag from being flown or displayed at schools across the region. If passed, it would mean the Pride flag could not be flown at local Catholic schools. Trustees are set to discuss the motion at a meeting scheduled for April 28.