Friday, May 16, 2025
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Resignation of Trustee Chantal Phillips announced
Board Chair Ashley St. Pierre announced the resignation of Zone 1 Trustee Chantal Phillip, effective June 30, 2025.
Trustee Phillips noted that she has appreciated the work, but is moving out of the region.
Trustees vote to divide funds among schools
Trustees voted to support a notice of motion put forward by Trustee Jeanie Fuscaldo and Vice-Chair Howard Wesley to divide the funds in the Trustee Initiative Fund equally between all NNDSB schools.
Discussion took place about whether the funds would be divided on a per capita basis or by school. It was decided that since rural schools don’t have as large a student population, which affects funding, funds would be split equally between all schools.
Incoming Student Trustee introduced
In his written report to the Board, Director of Education Craig Myles welcomed incoming Student Trustee Dev Bassi, who attended the Board meeting. Dev will be sworn in at the September Board meeting. The report also noted that Indigenous Student Trustee Riley Trudeau is serving a two-year term, and the Director looks forward to her continued hard work, contributions and successes.
Other items in the Director’s report included an ALS-inspired ice bucket challenge at Chippewa Secondary School to raise awareness, break the stigma and support mental health education. The staff encouraged their colleagues at West Ferris to participate.
West Ferris Secondary School students in the personal life management program were recognized by The Gathering Place during Volunteer Appreciation Week. Every Tuesday, student volunteers assist with folding laundry, rolling cutlery and packaging snacks.
Parry Sound High School students had great success at the Skills Ontario Competition 2025 in Toronto. Rachel Nobel placed second and Miya Rochon placed third in the restaurant service competition, and Makayla Strydom and Ashlyn Belanger finished first in TV and Film Production. They will be travelling to the Skills Canada National Competition in Regina on May 29-30.
The report also notes that school boards will receive funding to support students in summer 2025, to provide consistent and reliable mental health services. This will ensure continuity of services over the summer months.
Indigenous Student Trustee’s report
Indigenous Student Trustee Riley Trudeau reported that the Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC) has been busy with Red Dress Day, the Moose Hide Campaign and powwows. IYC has been raising awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) while fundraising to support the Ojibwe Women’s Lodge in Nipissing First Nation.
IYC members attended a visit by Ted Nolan, who spoke about being a member of the Garden River First Nation community and his journey into the National Hockey League as a player and coach.
Teachings and powwows have started at schools, including events at which feeder school students attend secondary school events as a transition activity. Indigenous perspectives are connected to classroom topics such as art, literacy, social studies and history. IYC is grateful for the Niigan Gdizhaami (NG) fund, which supports events in collaboration with Dokis First Nation.
Schools are preparing for their powwows, including the first teaching and learning powwow at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School.
Student Trustee’s report
Student Trustee Nanak Sidhu reported that student life across the district has been busy, with cultural celebrations, athletic excellence, artistic flair and community-minded service.
At Chippewa, students participated in the Special Olympics North Bay Fun Run, and delivered 150 pounds of non-perishable food to the North Bay Food Bank. A group of West Ferris Trojans completed the North Bay Fire and Emergency Services Firefighter-in-Training camp, gaining first-hand experience in emergency response teamwork.
At the Kiwanis Music Festival, Chippewa’s Grade 7/8 band earned silver, the secondary concert band earned silver and gold, the Jazz Ravens struck gold, and the guitar ensemble earned silver.
West Ferris hosted the regional DramaFest North, at which Almaguin’s Tartan Theatre advanced to the provincial showcase with Failure and Fortitude: The Female Edison.
Jiya Savsani of West Ferris attended the Renfrew Regional Science Fair, winning gold in Engineering and Computer Science. She won the OACETT/OPG Award and the grand award, earning a spot at the Canada-wide Science Fair in Fredericton.
Newly elected Student Senators were provided with foundational information about meetings. The upcoming meeting will focus on strategic planning.
Later this month, Student Trustee Sidhu will represent NNDSB at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association annual general meeting in Toronto. This will be his final conference as president.
Trustees seek meeting with Education Minister
Trustees voted to request a meeting with Education Minister Paul Calandra, at which they would like to discuss the new JK-12 Parry Sound school and the Board’s decision to keep McDougall Public School open for one more year.
There have been several letters written between Board Chair Ashley St. Pierre and the Minister of Education about the decision. The Board wants a meeting in which they wish to discuss past decisions, including minutes of past meetings.
The Board seeks a meeting with Minister Calandra, Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith, and delegates of NNDSB (including Chair St. Pierre, other trustees and board staff).
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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.
