Friday, Oct. 17, 2025
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Board receives JK-12 Parry Sound build update
Trustees received a report with updates about the status of the JK-12 Parry Sound school.
Although the occupancy date is not confirmed, progress is being made in construction, safety compliance and regulatory approvals. Specifics can be found in the report.
In his comments to the Board of Trustees, Director of Education Craig Myles noted that to keep all stakeholders and rightsholders informed with the same information, this report, like all JK-12 Parry Sound build updates, can be found on the Parry Sound build page.
Revised suicide risk management AG for consultation
NNDSB’s suicide risk management administrative guideline (AG) has been revised, and the draft AG is available on the website for consultation.
The guideline had not been updated since 2018, and reflects updated training and materials. The revised AG has been streamlined to ensure that all staff and members of the public will be able to locate the most up-to-date information from the website.
The draft revised guideline will begin its 30-day consultation.
Director’s report to the Board
The Director of Education’s report to the Board of Trustees included acknowledging the Indigenous Education Team, which provided a virtual Truth and Reconciliation learning session for all NNDSB students and staff on Monday, Sept. 29.
The Safe Schools team partnered with Ontario Northland on a rail safety project. The partnership is in advance of the launch of the Toronto to Timmins Ontario Northland train, which will travel through many communities of NNDSB.
Myles’ report noted that educators have begun collecting Acadience reading screening assessment data. Last school year, more than 16,000 assessments were completed. On average, students in Grades 1-6 increased their reading fluency by 13.8 words per minute, and accuracy increased on average by more than four per cent. The number of students reaching grade-level benchmarks increased by an average of five per cent per grade over the course of the 2024-2025 school year. As educators gain comfort with the assessments, there is an increased focus on appropriate instruction for each student based on beginning-of-year assessments. To date, K-8 educators have reviewed 85.3 per cent of screening assessments on all students in their classes.
Director Myles’ report noted that four staff members attended a Welcome to North Bay event, which was held for newcomers to North Bay. Staff in attendance provided school and program information for potential NNDSB families and recruited staff.
Trustee honoraria calculated for 2025
2025 marks the fourth year of this Board’s term of office, which will end Nov. 14, 2026. The honorarium for trustees is calculated using a base amount, enrolment amount, attendance amount and distance amount.
The following are the honoraria amounts for the 2025-2026 school year: chair, $13,359.51; vice-chair, $10,609.51; trustee, $7,859.51.
Indigenous Student Trustee Trudeau’s report
Indigenous Student Trustee Riley Trudeau reported that the September Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC) meeting was held online. The group discussed their tradition of giving back, IYC merchandise and the election this year. IYC holds its first in-person meeting this month at Northern, at which a vote will be held on the art to be put on IYC merchandise.
Initiatives taking place throughout the board included an Orange Shirt Day event and fundraisers at Parry Sound High School to support the Drop or Georgian Bay Anishinabek Youth.
At Almaguin Highlands, IYC meets Monday for beading and event planning, which includes Truth and Reconciliation Week events and a Walk for Wenjack taking place this month.
At West Ferris, students attended a welcome powwow at Canadore College/Nipissing University. Announcements were made leading up to Orange Shirt Day, and the Walk for Wenjack event took place Oct. 16.
Northern students also attended the powwow and are making plans for the year. IYC will hold a group art activity next week, and is trying to recruit new members. The group wants to support the Wenjack Foundation, Friendship Centre and the NFN food bank, as well as work with Anishinabek Police Service again.
Student Trustee Bassi’s report
Student Trustee Dev Bassi reported that students across the district are settling in with academics, athletics and school spirit events.
In fundraising and spirit activities, students at Chippewa Secondary School raised more than $11,000 at its Terry Fox Run, students at West Ferris Secondary School collected more than 10,000 pounds of food for local shelters, F.J. McElligott students participated in a Truth and Reconciliation-focused assembly, and students at Northern Secondary School held their Walk for Wenjack.
Extracurricular activities are in full swing, with a number of sports teams up and running. Arts and other clubs are underway, too. Chippewa has begun auditions for musicals, and the “build the nest” initiative allows for students and staff to nominate students who have performed good deeds throughout the school. At Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, a new baking club is experiencing overwhelming participation.
Student Trustee Bassi reported that Student Senate met in person on Oct. 7. Senators were introduced to their roles and responsibilities, and announced its new initiative, Take Back Your Washrooms. The initiative is to raise awareness of the Safer Schools reporting tool, which allows students to anonymously report problems related to safety and inclusion.
As vice-president of public education at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association, Bassi met with the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association to work on various projects regarding student trustees. He also met with the leadership team to discuss the upcoming November conference.
-30-
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.
