June 9, 2020 – The Near North District School Board (NNDSB) intends to adopt a new governance manual and by-laws at the June 22, 2020, regular board meeting. Since inauguration, a complete review of board governance policies, procedures and by-laws was a priority of the board and was further assisted by recommendations of both the Ontario Ombudsman and the Ministry of Education Special Advisors.

The Director of Education retained Wayne Joudrie to lead this process and develop policies, procedures and by-laws that would guide and direct the activity of the NNDSB while reflecting best practices and legislative requirements for Ontario school boards. Mr. Joudrie was a Ministry of Education Special Advisor assigned to work with the NNDSB. He has held prominent senior leadership positions across the education sector, including superintendent of education, superintendent of schools, director of education and executive director of the Public Council of Ontario Directors of Education.

Governance and accountability play an essential role in supporting and improving public confidence in the NNDSB and Ontario’s publicly funded education system. Once approved, the draft governance manual and by-laws will accommodate recommendations put forth by the Ontario Ombudsman and Special Advisors.

“Since taking office, our Board of Trustees have been clear and persistent about their commitment to transparent, accountable and ethical governance. The completion of our governance manual and by-laws is a significant priority for our Board of Trustees and our Senior Administration. These documents are essential to provide both management and Trustees with the framework necessary to provide professional and effective delivery of education services. This accomplishment will provide another key cornerstone to further restore the public’s confidence in our organization.”  Jay Aspin, Chair.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

January 29, 2020 – The Near North District School Board (NNDSB) Trustees have approved the allocation of approximately $1.4 million to commence necessary renovations to Chippewa and West Ferris facilities to continue offering existing and expanded programming.    

Funds will be used to prioritize renovations and building upgrades that will assist in improving student success and achievement, while ensuring equitable access to NNDSB programs and facilities.  

The NNDSB is working to provide students with a sense of security and comfort during the transition.  Senior Administration and school staff continue to work on the implementation of the 3:2 School Consolidation through the ongoing review of budgets and workplans.     

 “The Board of Trustees is elated to see this project moving forward. Having the facilities in place to offer high quality, equitable and inclusive education to all students has been a priority for our board since taking office.   We are committed to making decisions that are in the best interests of our students and communities.”  Jay Aspin, Chair. 

For more information, please contact: 

Mairghread Knought 
Information/Communications Officer 
Near North District School Board 
Tel:  705-472-8170 ext. 5010 
Email: Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca 

December 17, 2019 –  The Near North District School Board is pleased to announce that Craig Myles has been appointed the Director of Education, effective January 6, 2020.

“The board is pleased to have chosen an internal candidate for our Director. We are confident that his skills and extensive experience with the board will be a key component in moving the Near North forward to embrace the challenges ahead.  Craig’s strong background in secondary programming, familiarity with local educational opportunities and emphasis on board governance will allow him to hit the ground running. ” (Jay Aspin, Chair).

Craig Myles is in his 6^th year as Superintendent of Student Success with the Near North District School Board. With more than15 years of experience as an educational leader, his portfolios have included school effectiveness, special education, safe schools, student success, alternative education, international education and secondary/elementary school supervision. Myles is known for his commitment to students and his focus on improving student achievement through the development and implementation of responsive teaching and learning practices. Under his leadership, the NNDSB has seen an increase in the graduation rate of 5.2% and an elevation of secondary school credit accumulation by 12%.

“This is an exciting opportunity for me to focus my years of experience in collaborating with trustees, administrators, teachers, support staff and parents to improve student learning and student success at the NNDSB. We are fortunate to have such innovative, caring and qualified educators and leaders in our schools and I look forward to my continued work with them to deliver equitable and inclusive high-quality education to all our students” (Craig Myles, Director of Education).

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought

Information/Communications Officer
Near North District School Board
Tel:  705-472-8170 ext. 5010
Email: Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

December 5, 2019 – Near North District School Board (NNDSB) Trustees were provided with an update on the North Secondary School 3:2 Consolidation at a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting on December 3, 2019.   Senior Administration and school staff continue to work on the implementation of the 3:2 school consolidation through the ongoing review of budgets and workplans.    

Trustees discussed options for programming at West Ferris Secondary School and Chippewa Secondary School for the 2020/2021 school year.  In addition to existing programs the NNDSB will be offering a new Near North Sports Program at West Ferris Secondary School.  Senior Administration confirmed their ongoing commitment to ensuring that all specialized programs are equitable and available to all students.   

“The Board of Trustees is committed to making decisions that are in the best interests of our students and communities.  While the decision to close a school is a difficult one, moving forward we will be able to continue providing quality programs and supports for our students.”  Jay Aspin, Chair 

For more information, please contact: 

Mairghread Knought 
Information/Communications Officer 
Near North District School Board 
Tel:  705-472-8170 ext. 5010 
Email: Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca 

December 4, 2019 – Last evening at the Annual Organizational Meeting of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB), Trustee Jay Aspin was re-elected as Chair and Trustee John Cochrane was acclaimed as Vice-Chair.   

 Chair Aspin expressed his gratitude to fellow Trustees for the significant  time and effort that has been spent working together over the past year to move forward a number of Board initiatives.   In addition to the decision to proceed with the closure of Widdifield, the Board of Trustees have begun moving forward with a new Multi-Year Plan, a review of the organizational structure, and recruitment of a new Director of Education. 

 Vice-Chair John Cochrane is confident in the commitment of his fellow Trustees and is hopeful  that the Board will be  successful in moving the Parry Sound project forward. 

 “We have turned the corner – We are entering our 2nd year of significant reformation towards regaining the public trust and reputation of the Near North District School Board.  While, there is a significant amount of work to be completed, this Board of Trustees have proven their ability to move forward and make informed decisions based on the best interests of our students and communities. ” Jay Aspin, Chair 

 For more information, please contact: 

Mairghread Knought 
Information/Communication Officer 
Near North District School Board 
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010
Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca

August 14, 2019 – The Near North District School Board has begun implementing the recommendations contained in the Ombudsman’s Final Report.  In addition to a number of recommendations for improved process and governance, the following recommendation was identified with respect to the Secondary School Consolidation:  

“The Near North District School Board should prepare a new final staff report that explains the additional information received in the summer of 2017 and that was discussed in private in September 2017. It should present the report to trustees as part of a public meeting, afford community members an opportunity to comment on it, and then take a new vote on the secondary school consolidation.” 

 The new final staff report and attached documentation will be presented to the Board of Trustees at a Special Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.  Following this meeting the report and attached documentation will be posted to the NNDSB website in order to provide the public with an opportunity to review and provide comments.  Any received comments will be compiled and presented to the Board of Trustees at the September 10, 2019 Committee of the Whole beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Parties who wish to speak to the secondary school consolidation will need to register with the Board Office by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2019. 

 The Board of Trustees will re-vote on the secondary school consolidation at the September 24, 2019 Regular Board Meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. 

 For more information, please contact:  

Mairghread Knought  
Information/Communication Officer  
Near North District School Board  
(705) 472-8170, extension 5010 
 Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca  

 June 24, 2019 –  The Northern Secondary School  NNDSB ‘Logo’ committee is pleased to share the new school logo of “The Stars”.  “The Stars,” which appears in the middle of our logo represents the idea that we can all be stars, all be shining lights in the night, that we can reach for the stars to achieve our maximum potential. We are stars who will light the paths of others and fuel the imaginations of those who seek inspiration.

Both staff and students are extremely grateful to the members of the committee for their hard work and dedication to this project.   The process of choosing a new name and logo took place over two y

ears, with a consultation process that has included students, staff, and community and alumni partners.  Brandon Harvey, a graduating student, designed what we now call “The Stars” which consists of our school colours of red and silver and the spirit of our new name and school.

Stars are always a welcome sight in the sky, shining bright. That is how we all see our future here at Northern Secondary, bright, inspirational, and welcoming! It’s our time to shine, GO STARS!

For more information, please contact:

Laurent Paquette
Principal
Northern Secondary School
(705)-472-5322
Laurent.Paquette@nearnorthschools.ca

April 24, 2019 –   It was necessary for The Near North District School Board to provide notification of potential redundancies to our Teacher Union partners on April 15, 2019 in accordance with the terms, conditions and inherent timelines of our collective agreements and established communication protocols.     

In the absence of GSN (Grants for Student Needs) announcements, the accompanying technical paper, various memos that confirm funding for the upcoming 2019/2020 from the Ministry of Education and in order to meet collective agreement  timelines, this notice of redundancy was estimated based on planning assumptions and factual information and data on hand at time of declaration.  Given the early date of needing to provide notification, the Attrition Protection funding to be provided in the GSN by the Ministry of Education is to protect staff impacted by proposed changes to class sizes has not yet been factored into the estimated declaration of redundancy.    

It is anticipated that confirmation of funding for the 2019/2020 school year is to be released from the Ministry of Education, by the end of the month.  This funding information and documentation is central to the work of Senior Administration, when determining precise budget and staffing implications for the year ahead. Once this information is available, the required analysis will be completed.      

We are hopeful that once the Ministry of Education releases the information and documentation necessary for our next steps, these numbers of redundancy will be modified.       

The Board remains committed to high quality programming opportunities for the students of the Near North District School Board District.    

For more information, please contact:  

Mairghread Knought 
Information/Communications Officer 
Near North District School Board 
Tel:  705-472-8170 ext. 5010 
Email: Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca 

April 23, 2019 –  The Near North District School Board Inclusive Education Technology Systems Teachers will be presenting Tech Connect; An Evening of Learning for Parents, Supporting the Success of ALL Students.

Tech Connect will give parents the opportunity to learn about assistive educational technology available and supported in the Near North District School Board, including technology that can support their child’s success.  Parents of students with a learning disability may be particularly interested in the evening.

Sessions will be offered throughout the district on the following dates:

West Region

Tuesday April 30^th, 2019 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Parry Sound Public School, 21 Beatty Street, Parry Sound

East Region

Tuesday May 7^th, 2019,   5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Almaguin Highlands Secondary School. 21 Mountainview, South River

North Region

Tuesday May 14^th, 2019, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Widdifield Secondary School, 320 Ski Club Rd, North Bay

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Rogers
Inclusive Technology Teacher
Near North District School Board
Phone: 705-571-1610
Email: Lisa.Rogers@nearnorthschools.ca

 

At its January 22, 2019 Regular Board Meeting the Near North District School Board will consider a motion keeping Widdifield Secondary School and W. J. Fricker open for the 2019/2020 school year as well as transitioning the graduating Grade 8 students from W.J. Fricker to Widdifield Secondary School as in past years. This proposed motion was unanimously agreed to at the board’s Committee of the Whole meeting last night.

“The Board had a comprehensive discussion on the issue and were fully in agreement with the staff recommendation. It is in the best interest of our students to maintain quality programming in all schools while the Board awaits information from the Ministry and the Ombudsman’s report regarding the 3:2 consolidation. We were cognizant of the timelines for course selection and the need to have information communicated to students and parents in a timely manner.” Jay Aspin, Chair.

The temporary closure of W.J. Fricker to accommodate the construction of the new building will be delayed. Although the funding has been approved by the Ministry of Education, there are a number of procedural requirements relating to procurement’s and cost consultants that must be completed and approved by the Ministry before the project can proceed. Considering the current status of this project the initial time line is no longer attainable.

For more information, please contact:

Mairghread Knought
Information/Communication Officer
Near North District School Board
P. (705) 472-8170, extension 5010
E. Mairghread.Knought@nearnorthschools.ca