Thursday, April 14, 2022

Board Highlights for April meeting

The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, April 12, 2022.

Trustees review use of resources for campaigning

Trustees discussed and approved a procedure that outlines how and when Board resources may be used during the campaign period. Rules and procedures must be established before May 1, in accordance with The Municipal Elections Modernization Act, 2016.

The procedures apply to all trustees, registered trustee candidates and staff, and is intended to supplement the Trustee Code of Conduct.

The procedure covers the use of school board resources during the municipal and school board election campaign period, which for the upcoming campaign will be from May 1 to Oct. 24 (election day). The resources covered by the procedure included staff time, computer, fax, telephone, cell phone, laptop, tablet, website, newsletter, email, board or school social media accounts.

While trustees are expected to continue to use their board-issued resources to fulfil their duties as a member of the Board, they are not to use them for campaign-related purposes.

School trip guidelines modified after consultation

Following a public consultation period, the administrative guideline that deals with school trips has been modified.

The school trip guideline will include a standardized form for use by all schools, an approach that evaluates an activity on its level of risk and the requirement of a criminal reference check for all school volunteers, regardless of level of supervision.

The modified version was reviewed and approved by executive council on April 5, 2022.

Community use of schools resumes

In his report, Director of Education Craig Myles noted that the Community Use of Schools program has resumed. Organizations that require the use of school facilities are invited to submit applications.

More information and applications may be found on this page.

MYSP survey closes tomorrow

The Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) committee is seeking stakeholder input to measure progress since the five-year plan has been operationalized. More information about the survey can be found in this media release.

The survey is open until Friday, April 15 and the survey link can be found here.

Report highlights Indigenous education initiatives

A report from the First Nations Advisory Committee highlighted the scope of Indigenous education in the board and introduced three new initiatives.

The report announced a new Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) arts and culture program with an Indigenous studies focus that will be implemented at Parry Sound High School in September 2022, an initiative that will see all Grade 11 students take NBE3 – English: understanding contemporary First Nations, Métis and Inuit voices and an alternative secondary school program that will be delivered in partnership with the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. More will be announced about this in the coming weeks.

Board Chair Jay Aspin says, “Our board is committed to ensure Indigenous students have every opportunity for success. This board action plan is part of a complex structure of supports prioritizing equitable outcomes to move forward towards the success and well-being of these students through much needed systemic change.”

The full report is available in the Board package, and a media release has been issued.

Student Trustee advises of Senate elections

Student Trustee Cecilia Darling told the Board that secondary school elections to NNDSB’s Student Senate will take place soon. The election timeline will see newly elected Senators from each school attend the Senate meetings by May.

She also noted that election and information will be send to students to be shared with their school communities.

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Note: the full agenda package is posted on the website prior to meetings, and official minutes are posted after they are approved at the next board meeting.

For more information, please contact:
Deb Bartlett (she/her)
Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170 ext. 5010
E. Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca