Friday, June 17, 2022
Board Highlights of June Meeting
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, June 14, 2022.
Board receives update on 3:2 consolidation work
Trustees received an update on the work being done at West Ferris and Chippewa Secondary Schools as part of the 3:2 consolidation.
Despite delays in some material deliveries, a substantial amount of work has been completed, and the intention is for all work to be finished for September 2022.
At West Ferris, the bus loop and parking lot upgrades were completed in the fall of 2021.The new kitchen facilities and servery are complete, and students have been serving 250 student lunches per week. A point-of-sale program is generating revenue for the program, enabling the purchase of a double door freezer and 20-quart commercial mixer. The cosmetology classroom is complete and in use, with hair styling station and workstations for manicure instruction. The learning commons will be completed this summer. It features energy efficient lighting fixtures and height adjustable furniture and bookshelves.
A bus loop and parking lot upgrades were completed at Chippewa in the fall. The learning commons space was 70 per cent complete when a weather event caused considerable damage to the roof and new finished interior ceiling. This damage is expected to be repaired over the summer. The auditorium has new seating, including a row with removable seats that will provide accessible seating as required. House lighting has been upgraded and can be controlled via an application on a cellphone.
More information and photos are available in the report in the Board agenda package.
School climate survey results
The results of the 2022 school climate survey were shared with trustees. The Ministry of Education mandates that boards administer voluntary school surveys at least once every two years. The surveys help schools assess perceptions of safety, help boards make informed planning decisions about programs, determine the effectiveness of programs and build positive school climates.
Parents and guardians, students from Grades 4-12 and staff completed the survey. Next steps for NNDSB’s safe schools team will be to draw attention to the SAFER SCHOOLS! reporting tool which can be used by anyone to report incidents of bullying, harassment or discrimination. The sooner these incidents are reported, the more quickly steps can be taken to resolve the issue.
Among the survey results are that 94 per cent of students in Grades 4-6 feel very safe or safe in their classrooms, 88 per cent feel safe or very safe on the school grounds and 89 per cent are aware of how to report mistreatment at school. Of intermediate and secondary school students, 94 per cent of respondents say they feel safe or very safe in their classrooms, 86 per cent say they feel safe or very safe on school grounds and 77 per cent are aware of how to report bullying or harassment at school.
More information about the survey and responses may be found in this report in the Board agenda package.
Director’s update
Director of Education Craig Myles shared updates with the Board. Myles congratulated staff and students as the school year draws to a close. He also thanked trustees for their leadership through challenging times and complimented staff across the system who have stepped up to the plate throughout the pandemic “so that kids are successful.”
West Ferris Trojans participated in their 26th annual Parade for Cancer on May 31. Students raised $56,000 for the Cancer Care Fund at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.
The City of North Bay is hosting Armed Forces Day on June 22. NNDSB students from 10 North Bay schools have been invited to participated in a special event attempting to break the record for the number of people comprising a giant maple leaf. Students will also listen to the 22 Wing band and watch demonstrations by the the CH-147 Chinook, Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Canadian Armed Forces SkyHawks Parachute team.
Myles also thanked Student Trustee Cecilia Darling and Indigenous Student Trustee Allen Lewis Trodd for bringing students’ voices to the Board table.
Student Trustees report on elections, events
Student Trustee Cecilia Darling and Indigenous Student Trustee Allen Lewis Trodd thanked the Board for supporting them in their participation in the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association annual general meeting. Darling said the event provided her the opportunity to grow, and Trodd said attending helped him to better understand his role.
Darling reported to the Board that students are gearing up for exams and the last weeks of school. Secondary schools are planning events, including activities to welcome incoming students and their families. These events allow student leaders to share their experiences and offer advice about secondary schools.
Trodd shared a SWAY presentation with the Board, which highlighted the first in-person meeting of the Indigenous Youth Circle. He said the group spoke about what they want in their schools, including cultural safe spaces and connection to their cultures.
It was announced at the Board meeting that following a unanimous decision by Student Senate, student trustees would be able to serve two-year terms. Both Darling and Trodd will serve a second term on the Board.
Multi-year Strategic Plan update
Trustee Bill Steer, who chairs the Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) committee, updated the Board on the key indicators and metrics that are being used to measure progress and alignment in each of the four priority areas of the MYSP –
Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Excellence in Innovation, Excellence in Communication and Excellence in Relationships.
Two key indicators for each pillar will be reported on regularly; further proof of NNDSB’s commitment to goal setting and achievement at school, department and board levels.
More information may be found in this media release.
Board approves $168.3 million budget
As recommended by the finance committee, Trustees approved the 2022-2023 budget. The compliant budget will have revenue and expenses of $168.3 million, with a $62,930 surplus.
Like all work, the budget process is managed through the lens of the board’s MYSP, ensuring that NNDSB is managed efficiently and is financially sustainable year over year.
The board is expecting an enrolment increase of 3.2 per cent; it’s expected there will be 141 more elementary students and 161 more secondary students.
NNDSB will be receiving $1.8 million as one-time funding through the OCVID-19 Learning Recovery Fund to provide temporary staffing supports for learning recovery, the implementation of the first year of de-streamed Grade 9 mathematics, delivering remote learning, supports for special education and maintaining enhanced cleaning standards.
More information about the budget can be found in this media release.
Tenders approved, Lavase Road property sold
The Board approved two tenders for work to be done at Mattawa District Public School and Chippewa Secondary School.
The board received federal funding from two different sources to upgrades in the ventilation system at the elementary school in Mattawa. As the lowest tender price exceeded the funding and involved additional engineering fees. In February, trustees approved the use of school condition improvement funding to support the work. The board also sought additional work, supported by a second federal funding program and matching board funds. Last night, the Board awarded a $605,000 contract to Venasse Building Group for work at Mattawa District Public School.
The Board also approved the replacement of the roof of the library at Chippewa Secondary School to Venasse Building Group in the amount of $385,000. The work was necessary after a weather event resulted in significant water leaking into the newly renovated library. The exterior roof replacement must be completed before the interior damage can be repaired. The Board’s school condition improvement fund will pay for this work.
The Board approved the sale of its Lavase Road property, subject to final legal approvals regarding closing dates, for $565,000.
Board approves special education plan
The Board accepted the recommendation of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) and approved an updated special education plan.
The plan includes updated professional development opportunities that are available to staff, a list of resources provided to SEAC members and how to conduct an Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) meeting.
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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
- (705) 472-8170 ext. 5010
- Deb.Bartlett@nearnorthschools.ca
