Trustee Phillips wants to see a school system that works with families to support diverse and unique learners in every classroom. She strongly believes in the public school system’s mandate to provide a supportive and engaging education for all children. Trustee Phillips has extensive community service experience working with newcomers. She is also a Board member of HANDS the family help network. She is passionate about challenging behaviours and non-punitive approaches to discipline, and inclusion, diversity and equity. As the Manager at KIND Forest School she works everyday with children ages 4 to 10 in a small nature-based independent school. Trustee Phillips and her family moved to North Bay in 2014. She is completing a Master’s in Education at Nipissing University and loves to sing with the Near North Voices Choir.
Steer, Bill
Trustee Bill Steer believes that to assume a leadership position such as a school Board trustee, a high-quality system needs to be promoted; a system that focuses on improving every student’s success and well-being. He values equity, diversity and inclusion, Truth and Reconciliation, student voice, quality and innovation, environmental stewardship, good governance, accountability, collaboration and integrity. He values the Multi-Year Strategic Plan for its consideration of all stakeholders in the board’s goal of student achievement and well-being. Trustee Steer is a former NNDSB teacher at both elementary and secondary levels, teaches part-time at Nipissing University and is the founder and head of school/general manager of the Canadian Ecology Centre. He is the father of a grown daughter who is a product of NNDSB, and in his spare time, he writes as Back Roads Bill for CBC and Village Media.
Sargent, Louise
Louise Sargent was born and raised in North Bay. This is her third consecutive term as a Near North District School Board Trustee after retiring from teaching locally for 33 years. She believes accessibility, listening, working hard, and using her educational knowledge and experiences are key to continuing to be an informed representative for students in the decision-making process at the trustee level. Louise continues her committee involvement in the Equity Advisory Circle, First Nation Advisory Committee, Special Education Advisory Committee and the W.J. Fricker Building Committee.
Bertram, Julie Ann
As a parent of three school-age children, Trustee Bertram ran for office to help shape the direction of public education, which she believes is a vital component to societal development. She has an extensive record of service to her community (Field) and as a member of Northern Secondary School’s advisory committee. Trustee Bertram understands that diverse and inclusive learning environments that promote achievement and well-being need to be valued, and all members of the educational community should contribute to creating that environment. She is passionate about diversity, inclusion, respect, student well-being, Indigenous truth & reconciliation, and parent/community involvement. Trustee Bertram is a musician and writer. She and her partner own and run a campground at which they hold special events that focus on sustainability and arts.
