Earlier this week articles were published in local media sources based on a media release issued by a candidate for the Board of Trustees. The media release contained a number of statements with respect to the current and future employment of the Director of Education with the Near North District School Board. This information contained below is in response to those articles and is being issued for clarification purposes.
Mr. O’Hagan contacted Ms. Young this summer and requested a meeting to discuss issues and priorities for the Near North District School Board. However, as Mr. O’Hagan was and is currently a candidate for Trustee, his request for a meeting was declined. During the election campaign period employees of the Board, including the Director of Education, must remain non-partisan in order to ensure the integrity of the election process and our residents democratic rights. Requests for meetings from other candidates and for information that is not readily and/or publicly available have also been declined.
The Director of Education and Board staff are looking forward to working with all elected Trustees to ensure that the Board remains accountable to students, parents and community partners. Openness and transparency are at the core of public government and Ms. Young is supportive of all initiatives that uphold these values.
“We have a large number of schools with talented students, excellent teaching staff and leading-edge technology and programming. Our focus at the administrative level is, and has always been, ensuring that we provide our students with the education, opportunities, resources and supports they need. Any review of our office and our efforts either externally or internally is, and always, has been welcome.”– Jackie Young
Ms. Young was contacted by media sources for comment on Mr. O’Hagan’s media release but unfortunately could not address the timelines offered in time for publication.
For more information, please contact:
Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.knought@nearnorthschools.ca
