Friday, Jan. 13, 2023
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
Trustees provided with on-going PD opportunities
The elected and student trustees are regularly offered on-going professional development (PD) to help them understand their roles. PD is a standing item on the Board agenda.
This month, several opportunities were presented to trustees, including the annual Public Education Symposium (PES) presented by Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). Read more about trustee professional development in this media release.
Director’s Annual Report
As required by the Education Act, the Director of Education must report annually on the activities within the system. The 2021-2022 report was provided to trustees in November (the inaugural meeting) and was submitted to the ministry in December. It is now available online.
Capital projects approved
Trustees approved 2022-2023 capital projects estimated at approximately $9,210,442.
Several of the projects are for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades that have been funded through COVID-19 resilience infrastructure stream (CVRIS) initiatives, but that require additional capital funding.
Other capital projects include bus loops, security camera upgrades, architectural studies and accessible washrooms.
MYSP Committee presents semi-annual report
The Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) Committee meets four times a year and provides reports to the Board and stakeholders in January and June.
The report notes that it will take time for the MYSP to be embedded into the board’s culture and that 2022-2023 will be critical for implementing changes that align board actions toward meeting priorities of the plan.
This school year will focus on re-engagement, learning recovery and improving student outcomes, as guided by the Ministry of Education’s Learning Recovery Action Plan.
Committee Chair Bill Steer said across the system, staff are working together to achieve the goals set for board, school and student achievement. “The six-week cycles of plan, act, observe and reflect are helping staff monitor school effectiveness, which supports student achievement, equity and well-being for all students,” he said.
The MYSP report can be found here.
Student trustees report on
Both student trustees provided reports the Board, outlining events and activities at schools across the district.
Indigenous Student Trustee Allen Lewis Trodd reported that the Indigenous Youth Circle had met earlier that day to share ideas and talk about the concerns of Indigenous students. He also reported that a group called Oshkishkode was organized at Parry Sound High School. The group meets to share drumming and will be organizing the powwow at the school. Indigenous Student Trustee Trodd explained that the group name meant new fire, and represents the spark of the youth at the school.
Student Trustee Cecilia Darling reported that activities have resumed at the district’s secondary schools since the winter break. She reported on the social, athletic and other activities that are running at the schools, and noted that students are preparing for exams which will mark the end of semester one.
Committee membership completed
Trustees were appointed to committees at the inaugural Board meeting in November 2022, although there were a few committees that still required trustee appointments.
At Tuesday’s Board meeting, Trustees Shane Hall (primary east-west), Jeanie Fuscaldo (secondary east-west) and Julie Bertram (north) were appointed to the Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) Committee, a legislated committee. In the past, regional trustees were involved on an as-needed basis. NNDSB believes that consistent membership will be more beneficial for training and consistency.
The ad hoc committees to rename Chippewa and the new build on the Fricker site each require two trustees. Trustees Julie Bertram and Louise Sargent were appointed to the Chippewa Renaming Committee, and Trustees Shane Hall and Bill Steer were appointed to the W.J. Fricker Renaming Committee, with Louise Sargent as an alternate.
Board alters meeting schedule
Trustee Louise Sargent brought forward a motion to the Committee of the Whole meeting regarding the scheduling of Board and Committee of the Whole meetings.
Trustee Sargent’s notice of motion wanted Committee of the Whole meetings to be held on the second Tuesday of the month and Board meetings to be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Trustee Sargent felt that by having two weeks between meetings, trustees would have time for fruitful discussion and to hear public input about issues in order to make informed decisions at Board meetings.
The change will be effective for the February 2023 meetings. Watch the website for meeting dates and agendas.
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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
