Klaus Hertel sees serious deficiencies in Catholic education in Shelburne, and has decided to try to address things from the board table.

The Mulmur resident has announced plans to seek the trustee job for Caledon and Dufferin County on the Dufferin - Peel Catholic District School Board in next month’s elections.

“We need a Catholic school,” he said, adding that he’s willing to start with an elementary school for North Dufferin.

He says transporting students south to Orangeville is a problem, especially in the winter. “It’s not only risky, it’s too much for the kids,” he declared, adding he’s been hearing similar concerns from a lot of people.

Mr. Hertel, 71, is married with two grown children. He’s retired from the pharmaceutical industry, and during his career held positions in such places as Istanbul, Barcelona and Manila. He also joined a scholarship foundation in Toronto in 1989 to support families with children.

He says he understands the responsibilities of being a trustee and the importance of being a member of a team for the whole board, and that dialogue should always be encouraged among the board, trustees, parents, students and families.

Hertel figures his chances of election are about 50-50, adding his strengths are his ability to deal with people personally. “I’m optimistic, but should also try to be a little bit realistic too.

Mis main competition is likely to be from the incumbent, Frank Di Cosola, who is seeking another four-year term.

A resident of Bolton, Mr. Di Cosola says he believes a lot has been accomplished at the board over the last term, and he wants to continue that work.

He is ending his second term after spending six years as a trustee on the Toronto Catholic board representing part of the former City of York.

As for his chances, “I feel absolutely confident that I’m going to do fairly well,” he commented, adding there have been very few times when parents who call him have not been happy with the way things have turned out.