From the Boardroom - January 18, 2022

See what's happening at the Boardroom Table.
Posted on 01/18/2022
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Did you miss the Board Meeting on January 18, 2022? Not to worry, here are the highlights from the meeting.


Watch the full meeting on YouTube:



  
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

   
Understanding Contemporary First Nation, Métis and Inuit Voices
(Video Timestamp 9:51)

Teacher Dallis Novelli and student Reece Tkachuk provided a report on St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s new Grade 11 English Course. The course follows the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and uses Indigenous texts, keynote speakers and videos to allow students to see our history through an Indigenous lens and aligned with the Equity and Inclusive Framework.

Novelli shared samples of student voice and writing throughout the presentation.

Student Trustee Report
(Video timestamp 24:40)

Student Trustees Maxwell Froese, Antonie-Marie Skead and Elizabeth Favreau provided a report on the activities and initiatives happening at St. Thomas Aquinas High school during January with a look forward to February. The Student Trustees highlighted the OCSTA Student Trustee Professional Development session, the reopening of schools for in-person learning and the enhanced health and safety protocols, the prayer service for the week of Christian Unity, bus cancellations and the cancellation of exams.

Students are looking forward to the upcoming feast day for St. Thomas Aquinas on January 28 to celebrate the life and example of the school’s patron saint.

The students expressed gratitude for all the hard work everyone is doing to keep schools safe during the pandemic.

  
Principal / Vice Principal Provincial Terms and Conditions

(Video Timestamp 29:33)

Alison Smith, Superintendent of Business Services, provided a report on the central terms and conditions of employment contained within the Memorandum of Settlement  for Principals and Vice Principals.

The trustees passed the motion, which will be forwarded to the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association.

Resignation of Ron Schuster
(Video Timestamp 31:04)

Trustee Frank Bastone presented an employment biography celebrating Ron Schuster’s career at the Kenora Catholic District School Board, where he’s retiring from the position of Head Custodian at École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys

Ron Schuster’s retirement is effective January 31, 2022.

The trustees passed a motion accepting the resignation, for the purposes of retirement, with regret and thanked him for his service to the Kenora Catholic District School Board.


Director of Education Resignation Announcement
(Video Timestamp 33:30)

After 30 years in education and 17 years serving at the Kenora Catholic District School Board, Paul White, Director of Education for the Kenora Catholic District School Board, announced his intent to retire, which will take effect at the end of the 2021 – 2022 School Year on August 31, 2022.

Chair Gallik and Vice Chair Favreau, thanked Director White for his tireless dedication and service to the Kenora Catholic District School Board, and the Board of Trustees passed the motion with regret.

Trustee Favreau presented an employment biography that celebrates the career of Paul White. 

Tap the link to read Paul White’s Resignation Announcement.

The Board of Trustees will now begin the important work of recruiting and selecting a new Director of Education.

  
2021 – 2022 Revised Estimates

(Video Timestamp 39:43)

Alison Smith, Superintendent of Business Services, presented the 2021 - 2022 Revised Estimates. Total revenues are $32,804,158 and estimated expenses are $33,261,900 providing an annual deficit of ($457,742). Smith reported that the Board is in compliance with the legislation of balanced budget determination.

  
2021 Director’s Annual Report

(Video Timestamp 46:16)

Paul White, Director of Education and Trina Henley, Executive Assistant and Communication Services, provided a report on the 2021 Director’s Annual Report.

Tap the link to read the 2021 Director's Annual Report

This report provides a glimpse into the many accomplishments, innovations, and achievements of the 2021 school year. As a school community, we continue to be impacted by the pandemic, but despite the challenges, we endure and strive through the amazing work of staff and students and partnerships with families and community. Throughout this report, you will see evidence of the unwavering spirit, perseverance, and steadfast commitment to excellence in Catholic education that is at the essence of what makes the Kenora Catholic District School Board special.

The 2021 Director’s Annual Report is designed around the pillars of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan – Growing, Investing and Engaging and reflects how KCDSB are living these goals every day in classrooms and schools across the board. The report is both interactive and engaging and allows you to explore short captions and pictures or tap the links embedded throughout the report to take a deeper dive into stories and videos.

  
2022 – 2023 School Year Calendar

(Video Timestamp 58:50)

Paul White reported that the 2022 – 2023 School Year Calendar is available for consultation from January 10 – January 21. The community has two calendar options to review.

Tap the link to help choose the 2022 - 2023 School Year Calendar

The feedback from the consultation will be reviewed by the Regional School Year Calendar Committee, which is comprised of five area school boards: the Northwest Catholic District School Board, the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, the Rainy River District School Board, Conseil scolaire de district Catholique des Aurores boréales and the Kenora Catholic District School Board.

  
December Special Education Advisory Committee Report

(Video Timestamp 1:00:15)

Trustee Anne Sweeney provided a report on the December 16, 2021, Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting. Sweeney highlighted guest speaker Michael Jacques who was diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability at a young age. Michael Jacques cannot read or write, but he has written two books and is a proud graduate of the Catholic School System in Ontario.

Members of SEAC were inspired by hearing Michael Jacques speak about diversity and inclusion.

  
COVID-19 Update

(Video Timestamp 1:03:11)

Alison Smith provided a report on the return to in-person learning on January 15, 2022, and the implementation of the enhanced health and safety protocols.

Smith overviewed the deployment of N95 masks for staff, three-ply cloth masks for students, Rapid Antigen Test and HEPA filters.

Smith also reported on the new enhanced mask requirement for Kindergarten students.


2022 OCSTA Trustee Professional Development Session
(Video Timestamp 1:07:17)

Chair Teresa Gallik provided a report on the January 14, 2022, Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association professional development session ‘Naming and Claiming our Catholic School Identity’.


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Anyone wishing to address the Board of Trustees, must adhere to Policy #9  - Board Operations and register by contacting Paul White, Director of Education. For inquiries, please call 807-468-9851.
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