Five groups were invited to forward nominations, including the archdiocese of Toronto, the Greater Toronto Catholic Parent Network and the Toronto Association for Parents in Catholic Education. Nominations were also sought for four members from parents and the Catholic community. The closing date for nominations was March 4. At least one representative of the supervision team will sit on the committee.

Mary Jo Deighan, spokesperson for the board, said there was an “enthusiastic response” but was unable to provide the exact number of applications.

According to the board, the committee will have an advisory role and will meet on an “as needed basis” at least four times a year. Deighan said the board is hoping to have the committee’s first public meeting at the end of March.

Some parents have concerns. Murielle Boudreau, chair of the Greater Toronto Catholic Parents Network , has been nominated to sit on the committee.

“I’m not sure how much of a voice the committee will have,” she said. “The advisory committee is trying to put in parental and Catholic input which is the job of trustees.”

On Jan. 28, Hartmann issued a public letter to trustees calling for them to reflect upon their role. The letter came in the aftermath of a public display of disunity at a Jan. 22 meeting when trustee Oliver Carroll sucked his thumb to mock trustee Maria Rizzo which led to a disruption of the meeting. It was also alleged that Carroll, who has been removed from the board for a conflict of interest, swore at former chair Catherine LeBlanc-Miller shortly before the meeting began.

Meanwhile, the board is seeking candidates to take over the seat vacated by Carroll in Ward 8. A candidate application package is available at www.tcdsb.org.