Friday, Sept. 12, 2025
The following are the highlights of the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) meeting of Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.
Krista Messenger sworn in as Zone 1 Trustee
Krista Messenger was sworn in at Tuesday night’s Board meeting as the Zone 1 Trustee, replacing Julie Bertram. Messenger was one of four applicants for the position, which will end next year following the municipal election.
Messenger is a familiar face at the Board table, having previously served as the executive assistant to NNDSB’s Director of Education and Secretary of the Board. She has served on the North Bay Public Library Board and is a corporate governance specialist at Ontario Northland. Messenger has three children in NNDSB schools.
Messenger acknowledges the unique challenges of the board, including addressing equity of access in a large geography, advancing Indigenous education, responding to enrolment and budget pressures and strengthening public confidence.
In his written report, Director of Education Craig Myles also welcomed new trustees Jay Aspin and John Arkwright (who were sworn in earlier) to the Board. Trustees Aspin and Arkwright were the runners-up in the 2022 municipal election and replace Trustees Chantal Phillips and Jeanie Fuscaldo, who resigned.
For a fourth time, Aspin has rejoined the Near North District School Board, exhibiting his strong passion for education. In the past, he has chaired the board on two separate occasions, was elected President of the Northern Ontario School Trustees Association and elected a board member of the Ontario School Trustees Council, the forerunner of the current Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA).
In 2024, he was recognized by being awarded the Community Builders Award for Educational Commitment and Leadership in the region. He also received Bernadine Yackman Award from OPSBA for his dedication and outstanding contribution to education in Northern Ontario.
Beyond education, he served six terms on the North Bay City Council as well as a term as the Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming.
He has served on several public sector boards, including Ontario Health, Tribunals Ontario and Invest Ontario. Recently, the Lieutenant Governor inducted him to the Order of Ontario, Ontario’s highest civilian recognition.
Trustee Arkwright first ran for trustee in the 2022 municipal election motivated by a strong desire to be part of creating a solid education system for students. He firmly believes that children are our future and that strong supportive schools are essential to their success.
With a professional background in media, sales and marketing, Trustee Arkwright brings valuable experience in communication and relationship building. He is known for working with people in a straightforward and collaborative manner – an approach he believes will serve him well in his role as trustee.
Student Trustee report
Student Trustee Dev Bassi, whose appointment was recommended by the Near North Student Senate, provided his first report to the Board.
Bassi noted that activities have already started. Spirit days have already begun, as have extracurricular activities including cross-country running, boys’ volleyball, girls’ basketball, golf and tennis. At Almaguin Highlands Secondary School, the Talon theatre program has begun, and students are working on their productions.
Student Senate has not yet met, so Bassi noted the Senate report will have to wait until the October Board meeting.
Bassi noted that he is Vice-President of Public Education at the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA). He said he has already begun working with partners and was able to attend his first leadership retreat in July to learn about the role, how to effectively lead, and work with OSTA.
Indigenous Student Trustee report
Indigenous Student Trustee Riley Trudeau, serving her second term in the role, provided her report to the Board.
Trudeau noted that she is grateful to be able to serve a second term, and she looks forward to furthering the work of the Indigenous Youth Circle (IYC). IYC plans to hold its first meeting in person, in order to start the year’s work in a good way.
The group will plan its truth and reconciliation efforts, which include Orange Shirt Day and Walk for Wenjack.
PIC report
The Board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) included a report in the agenda, which outlined the committee’s activities last year.
In 2024-2025, NNDSB received $19,500 from the Ministry of Education in Parent Reaching Out funding to support individual school councils to create parent engagement activities. Councils were invited to apply for funding by submitting an application to PIC.
Twelve projects were approved from across the district, with activities such as a trades awareness show, a coding night with a math and science focus, and expanding outdoor community space.
PIC also hosted sessions in May 2025 with author and speaker Katherine Martinko promoting digital wellness. Parents gained strategies for managing screen time and digital habits in the household, and students were encouraged to implement digital self-monitoring tools and to consider healthy alternatives.
More information on the Parent Reaching Out projects and upcoming PIC meetings can be found here.
Strategic Plan progress report presented
The annual Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) progress report was presented to trustees. The report covers achievement in the MYSP over the 2024-2025 school year.
The report outlines several revised and new actions, demonstrating that the MYSP is fluid and that new inputs may lead to changes to the plan.
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