My priorities align with the Near North District School Board’s Vision, Mission, and Values. Through creating an inclusive culture with equitable programming, building diverse pathways, and supporting community partnerships, we can ensure student achievement and well-being.

I believe all schools are vital to their communities. With technology and partners who understand the value of funding our rural northern facilities, we can deliver all students a valuable educational experience that will help them achieve their goals and will attract new residents. No student or family should be faced with the decision to move to a larger community to obtain board-run programming or ensure a fulsome elementary school experience.

I have been involved with many community projects including the revitalization of two community parks, creation of three community gardens, building 55 new affordable homes, and partnering with local service providers to enhance program offerings. I have been fortunate to be involved in NNDSB schools as a coach and parent volunteer including serving as the Chair of Victory Public School Parent Council, Chair of McDougall Public School Parent Council, member of the Parry Sound Public School building committee, and Parent Involvement Committee member. My daughter attends Parry Sound High School where I am currently a member of the parent council. My son is now enrolled in his first year of a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Guelph after having been involved in Parry Sound High School’s band and music classes.

I grew up in North Bay and was very fortunate to participate in the programming available to North Bay students, including theatre performances and football. I was also a student representative and traveled to other communities to attend leadership camps including one hosted at Widdifield Secondary School. I began volunteering in schools again when my wife started teaching over twenty years ago. In my professional life, I have worked in the telecom industry and two financial institutions as a financial advisor and commercial banker before beginning my current role in non-profit housing where I work for Georgian Bay Native Non-Profit Homes, Parry Sound Non-Profit Housing Corporation, and Parry Sound Affordable Housing Development Corporation.

I welcome all community members to connect with me, and I thank you for the opportunity to serve.

I was raised in Mattawa and attended elementary and secondary school there and am still working towards my BA .
With my husband of more than 50 years, I co-owned Gagne’s Store in  Rutherglen.
We have four children and seven grandchildren. Because of the strength of our public schools, most of my children have gone on to post-secondary and post-graduate programs.
I believe we have to foster empowerment, inclusivity, and diversity by respecting the intersectionality of all members of our community.
Teachers, students, families, and community members should feel heard, safe, and supported in the public education system and have equal access to quality education for all families.
Access to this quality of public education is a basic human right vital to the growth of our community.
For all of my adult life, I have supported Northern Ontario’s communities and I will continue to advocate for the current and future leaders and learners in Zone 2 with a focus on collaboration and equity for their diverse needs, abilities, and strengths.
Currently, I am the treasurer for the Mattawa Hospital Board and also for our church. As an artist, I also serve as president of the Toronto Beach Fine Art Guild.
My hobbies include golfing and playing music.
My goal is to work hard and make a difference.
I am deeply connected to the protection and cultivation of Mother Earth. I respect the Indigenous lands we walk on as well as the diverse cultures within our area and Canada at large.
It is my honour to serve on the NNDSB.

Trustee Shane Hall says he was motivated to run for trustee because he wants to ensure that quality education and schools are available for children in local communities, and that good schools encourage families to grow and live in small communities. His volunteer experience includes having been a volunteer firefighter and he is involved as a coach and member of the executive of a minor hockey organization. Trustee Hall is passionate about keeping small schools open, outdoor education and tech programs. On the business side of education, he is interested in staff satisfaction, board assets and use, and funds allocation. Trustee Hall is married to an elementary school teacher, and they have two sons. In his spare time, Trustee Hall enjoys sports and the outdoors.

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.

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.

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.

Riley is a Grade 11 student at Northern Secondary School. She’s been a member of the Indigenous Youth Circle for two years and decided to run for the Indigenous Student Trustee’s position because it’s a great opportunity to work on behalf of Indigenous communities and youth.

Riley looks forward to getting to know her peers in the Indigenous Youth Circle better, and finding out what they want for the future.

Goals for her 2024-2025 term including the continuation of collection and donation of items top less fortunate communities, the implementation of more mental health resources, and more teaching activities with younger youth as they grow to fill leadership roles. Riley is excited to see what goals or activities the Indigenous Youth Circle want to pursue this school year.

Riley is a member of the West Nipissing Youth Council, which meets monthly to discuss how youth can help the community and make things as inclusive as possible. She is also involved in sports, with the West Nipissing Dream Catchers and is a volunteer at the Sturgeon River House Museum and at the Woodland Métis Centre. She attends as many Indigenous cultural activities and workshops as she can.

Nanak is a Grade 12 student at Chippewa Secondary School and has been involved in Student Senate since the spring he was in Grade 9. He believes that being a Student Trustee will allow him to make a real difference by ensuring that student voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes that affect their education and school experience.

He looks forward to representing students across the board, collaborating with diverse groups and advocating for positive changes. Nanak is eager to work to address challenges and create an inclusive and supportive environment in schools. He also looks forward to learning and growing through this experience and gaining valuable insights and skills. Nanak is committed to prioritizing mental health, and his goals include increasing access to mental health resources, promoting awareness and education, collaborating with student organizations, and addressing systemic issues like academic pressure and discrimination.

Nanak is a partial International Baccalaureate student, is a math and physics tutor and is involved in badminton at Chippewa.

Outside of school, Nanak volunteers in the community, enjoys hanging out with his friends, playing video games, cooking and baking for friends and family.