Friday, Sept. 15, 2023
Board Highlights – September 2023 meeting
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
Student trustees take oath of office
Trustees welcomed the 2023-2024 student trustees to the Board at its meeting last night. Both student trustees attend Chippewa Secondary School.
Student Trustee Dora Chen says she ran for office because, “I believe students should have a say in their own education.” She has been a member of student council, a student senator and is the student representative on the Chippewa renaming committee.
Indigenous Student Trustee Albany Benson has a history of involvement at school and in the community. She wants to ensure Indigenous youth “feel comfortable and heard at school.”
Trustee Louise Sargent said the student trustee positions are valuable as they bring the viewpoints of students to the Board. She said she looked forward to working with Student Trustee Chen and Indigenous Student Trustee Benson. “The students are very fortunate to have you,” said Trustee Sargent.
Strategic plan progress review
A comprehensive progress review of the multi-year strategic plan was presented to trustees in the agenda package. The review updates stakeholders on the work to date of the 2021-2026 plan, with a focus on the progress achieved in the 2022-2023 school year, and the goals for the 2023-2024 school year.
The update shows the board is in the recovery period and growth toward a change in culture and operational processes can be expected for another couple of years.
In his verbal report to the Board, Director of Education Craig Myles said the board must “stay the course with that plan on a constant, cyclical basis
The full progress review can be found here.
Committee meetings scheduled
In addition to the committee-of-the-whole, there are several committees of the Board whose work helps to conduct business more effectively. The public is invited to attend public committee meetings.
As always, a calendar of upcoming meetings was included in the agenda package.
Upcoming public meetings include the audit committee on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. and the special education advisory committee on Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.
Attendance details may be found on this page of the Board agenda.
Audit committee seeks community member
Trustee Shane Hall, Chair of the Audit Committee, mentioned in his report that the committee is looking to add a community member to the committee. This is a volunteer position.
For more information, please see the posting.
Two NNDSB schools are Eco champions
Two NNDSB schools were recognized with EcoSchools certification for environmental excellence this year.
Nobel Public School earned a platinum status for points achieved in alignment with eco-action and Silver Birches Elementary School earned gold status for points achieved in alignment with student well-being in the environment.
Participation in the EcoSchools program is just one way the NNDSB is furthering the goals of the multi-year strategic plan, particularly the pillars of excellence in teaching and learning and excellence in innovation.
Board meeting dates confirmed
The Board set the dates for its upcoming meetings.
The organizational meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. The Board chose to move the March meeting from the proposed date of March 12 to March 19 because the 12th falls during March Break.
Virtual attendance will be facilitated via Zoom, and the meetings will be hosted in person from the North Bay Board room.
Trustees support SBO’s OSBIE nomination
Trustees voted in favour of supporting the nomination of NNDSB’s Superintendent of Business, Seija Van Haesendonck, to the board of directors of Ontario School Board Insurance Exchange (OSBIE) Northeast Region.
SBO Van Haesendonck is currently a director, and Director Myles said he hoped trustees would “support her serving her second term.” Myles added that it reflects well on NNDSB to have a superintendent on that board.
The elections for OSBIE directors take place in early November.
PIC continues to support NNDSB families
The Board agenda package contains a year-end report from the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) which summarizes the committee’s activities.
In the 2022-2023 school year, NNDSB’s PIC provided three presentations which resulted from the previous year’s survey to school councils. There was a session on
mental health, a session on bullying prevention and a session on equity and inclusion.
The committee also provided opportunities for school council reps to attending virtual networking sessions.
The committee also received $19,500 in Parent Reaching Out funds to support 14 approved projects.
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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.
