BOARD MEETING Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 6:30 pm
https://zoom.us/j/99831214854 Meeting ID: 998 3121 4854 AGENDA Canada Toll-free: 1 855 703 8985
1.0 Call to Order 1.1 Land Acknowledgement 1.2 Opening Prayer by Elder 1.3 Moment of silence
2.0 Attendance 2.1 Confirmation of Quorum 2.2 Declaration of Conflict of Interest
3.0 Approval of the Agenda √ Motion: That the agenda for the Board meeting of June 15, 2021 be approved.
4.0 Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings 4.1 2021 05 18 Regular Meeting minutes √ Motion: That the minutes of the Regular Board meeting held on May 18, 2021, be approved.
5.0 Business Arising Nil.
6.0 Special Education Advisory Committee Report 6.1 LEARNStyle Presentation 6.2 SEAC minutes- May 20, 2021 √ 6.3 Correspondence recommendation 6.4 2020- 2021 Special Education Plan for approval √ Motion: That the Near North District School Board approved the updated Special Education Plan as presented.
7.0 Equity Advisory Circle Report 7.1 NNDSB Indigenous Education presentation presented by Acting Superintendent Gray and T. Hendrick 7.2 EAC Minutes- May 27, 2021 √
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8.0 Communication to the Board 8.1 Information Items 8.1.1 Monthly Tender Report- June 2021 √ 8.1.2 Board Correspondence √ 8.1.3 Professional Development Opportunities Calendar √ 8.1.4 Programming Update √ 8.1.5 School Trip Preparedness & School Trip Administrative Guideline √
8.2 Director’s Update- Director Myles to lead this item. 8.2.1 Board Report √
8.3 Chair’s Remarks- Chair Aspin to lead this item. 8.3.1 Remarks √
8.4 OPSBA Report- Trustee Steer to lead this item.
8.5 Student Trustees’ Update 8.5.1 Student Trustee Report √ 8.5.2 Farewell wishes to Student Trustee Paradis 8.5.3 Welcoming remarks to Student Trustee Elect Darling
9.0 Items for Decision 9.1 Borrowing Bylaw √ That the Board of Trustees for the Near North District School Board pass and approve the Borrowing Resolutions for the fiscal year 2021-202 as presented on June 15, 2021.
10.0 Committee Reports 10.1 Standing Committees 10.1.1 MYSP Committee –Trustee Steer to lead this item a. MYSP Committee minutes- May 13, 2021 √ b. Review of the 2021-2026 Multi-Year Strategic Plan √ Motion: that the 2021-2026 Multi-Year Strategic Plan is approved as presented.
10.1.2 Finance Committee - Vice-Chair Cochrane to lead this item a. Review of the 2021/22 budget √ Motion: that the 2021/22 budget for the Near North District School Board be approved as presented, as recommended by the Finance Committee.
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10.1.3 Parry Sound Build Committee- Vice-Chair Cochrane to lead this item a. Meeting Minutes- June 3, 2021 √ b. Board Report √
10.2 Committee Meeting Minutes Presented for Information 10.2.1 PIC Committee minutes- April 9, 2021 √ 10.2.2 PIC Committee minutes- May 28, 2021 √
11.0 Next meeting Date: TBC
12.0 Adjournment 12.1 Motion: That on June 15, 2021 we do now adjourn at _____ pm.
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Minutes of the Public Session Board Meeting of the Near North District School Board held May 18, 2021 963 Airport Road North Bay, ON P1B 8H1 Phone: 705.472.8170 Website: www.nearnorthschools.ca
Jay Aspin, Chair Craig Myles, Director of Education
The May 18, 2021 Public Session Board Meeting of the Near North District School Board was held via teleconference and videoconference.
Trustees Present: Administrative Staff Present: Jay Aspin, Chair Craig Myles, Director of Education John Cochrane, Vice-Chair Deb Bartlett, Information/Communication Officer Al Bottomley Gay Smylie, Acting Superintendent Donna Breault Josh Casey, Communications Coordinator Harry Fry Krista Messenger, Executive Assistant Rob Learn Liana Blaskievich, Officer Corporate Affairs Louise Sargent Lisa Collins, Interim Executive Officer Bill Steer Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent Student Trustee M. Paradis Tim Graves, Superintendent Wally Easton, Interim Superintendent of Business
Trustee Regrets: Other: Nichole King Media and community partners
1.0 Call to Order Chair Aspin called the meeting to order at 6:31 pm.
1.1 Land Acknowledgement Chair Aspin read the land acknowledgement aloud.
1.2 Attendance Attendance indicated that eight trustees are present for the meeting.
1.3 Declaration of Conflict of Interest NIL
2.0 Approval of the Agenda Motion: 21-05-01, J. Cochrane/ H. Fry That the agenda for the Board meeting of May 18, 2021 be approved as presented. - Carried.
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Minutes of the Public Session Board Meeting of the Near North District School Board held May 18, 2021 3.0 Approval of Previous Minutes 3.1 2021 04 20 Regular Meeting minutes Trustees were referred to the meeting minutes contained in the package. The floor was opened for amendments, questions, or comments with none rose.
Motion: 21-05-02, R. Learn/ A. Bottomley That the minutes of the Regular Board meeting held on April 20, 2021, be approved. – Carried
4.0 Business Arising 4.1 Climate Action- Resolution and Next Steps Chair Aspin recalled for trustees the passionate plea made by Trustee Bottomley during the last meeting with regard to climate action. A resolution was passed to defer for a month to allow for consultation with staff. Chair Aspin invited Trustee Bottomley to speak to this item. Highlights noted as: • Overview provided on ongoing chaotic weather events across the globe • Encouragement offered on environmentally friendly initiatives that do not require fossil fuels (ie: solid state battery) on the horizon. • Closing comments to share how acting now to reduce reliance on fossil fuels will have a positive impact on future generations of children. • Trustees referred to the brief contained in the agenda package for an outline of the suggested resolution.
Chair Aspin thanked Trustee Bottomley for his comments and read the motion aloud.
Motion: 21-05-03, A. Bottomley/ B. Steer Whereas the NNDSB acknowledges the seriousness of the climate emergency and its growing impact on the environment;
Be it resolved that NNDSB will endeavour to implement practices and procedures towards reducing its environmental impact(s) for our students' future. – CARRIED.
It is noted that the resolution was carried unanimously. Trustee Steer was invited to speak to further steps NNDSB will take by bringing this issue forward at the OPSBA Annual General Meeting. The goal will be to provide awareness to this issue and support collective action at the provincial level with a resolution.
Comment from Director Myles to thank Trustee Bottomley for bringing attention to the need for climate change and his passion for the environment, and for Trustee Steer for becoming involved through OPSBA.
Chair Aspin read the resolution aloud.
Motion: 21-05-04, B. Steer/ J. Cochrane Whereas the OPSBA acknowledges the seriousness of the climate "emergency" and its’ growing impact on the environment, the OPSBA will endeavour to promote practices and procedures towards reducing its environmental impact(s) for our students' future and
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Minutes of the Public Session Board Meeting of the Near North District School Board held May 18, 2021 include “environmental” (or words appropriate through discussion) and amend its vision statement and update its Exemplary Practices on the OPSBA website. – CARRIED.
5.0 Communication to the Board 5.1 Information Items 5.1.1 Monthly Tender Report- May 2021 √ 5.1.2 Professional Development Opportunities Calendar √ 5.1.3 Student Trustee Election Report √ 5.1.4 Graduation 2021 Update √
Chair Aspin referred trustees to the board reports submitted for information as part of the agenda package for each item. The floor was opened for questions or comments with none rose. Attention was drawn to the Student Trustee Election Report shared as an addendum. Chair Aspin offered congratulations to the Student Trustee Elect, Ms. Cecilia Darling.
Point of order to note that Chair Aspin allowed the next few agenda items to be reprioritized due to connectivity challenges. Items were discussed with a slight variation to the sequence presented on the agenda.
5.2 Consolidation Update Chair Aspin referred trustees to the report contained in the agenda package. Acting Superintendent Smylie invited to provide a few remarks and noted work on phase two of the renovations at West Ferris and Chippewa Secondary Schools are progressing well. Highlight drawn to the modernized learning commons spaces, with conceptual drawing included in the report.
The floor was opened for questions: - Trustee Sargent inquired about further consideration regarding the tracks. o Response from Director Myles to recognize this as a priority on the horizon.
With no further comment to note, Chair Aspin thanked SO Smylie for the report.
5.3 Staff Presentation: Virtual Learning Trustees referred to the report included in the agenda package. Opening remarks from the Director to recognize the intent to keep trustees updated on the board’s plans for virtual learning moving forward. Highlights from the update provided by Superintendent Graves: - Overview provided on model definitions: o Virtual and remote learning refers to the style of learning occurring right now, whereas online learning/ e-learning describes a style of learning that has been ongoing at the secondary level for years. - Review of the ministry communication and media attention - NNDSB has intentionally delayed the selection of a firm model to remain flexible for ongoing direction from the ministry, and to collect as much data as possible to make the right decision. - Some boards have made a decision already and are now needing to revisit based on new information. NNDSB wants to provide a very clear picture to students and their families about
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Minutes of the Public Session Board Meeting of the Near North District School Board held May 18, 2021
what exactly each model entails so families can choose what suits their needs the most. It is expected that the information will be shared with families in the next three weeks. - The floor was opened for questions: o Question from Trustee Sargent regarding windows of opportunities for families to switch between modalities. SO Graves noted that this will be affected by the final model selected. Changes in exceptional circumstances are always accommodated, balanced with the need for stability. o Comment from Trustee Learn to note his experience is that the “octomester format” is taxing on students. Comment from SO Graves to note the board is considering a “quad-mester” structure that allows students to have two courses on to promote a bit of variety. With no further questions, Chair Aspin thanked Superintendent Graves for the report. 5.4 Director’s Update Opening remarks to thank SO Graves, and the leadership team who are working extremely hard to work within the confines of public health regulations, the ministry directives, and the needs of our students and their families. Staff are working very diligently to find solutions to support students. Thanks to staff, union partners, and leaders across the system for the work to ensure NNDSB is doing the best job possible for students and their families. As part of his report, the Director highlighted: o Education Week- NNDSB was pleased to honour all contributions in support of service to students across the NNDSB community. o The Director’s Office honours extraordinary efforts by staff members. This month staff involved in preparing, organizing and assembling over two-thousand wellness kits to support students through the “Thrive in the Hive” wellness pledge were recognized. Appreciation is expressed to the leadership in the Student Senate for partnering with the NNDSB mental health team under the leadership of Acting Superintendent Gray. o A sincere thank you to all trustees for supporting the MYSP regional information sessions. More information will be shared during the MYSP report regarding the outcomes of the sessions and the feedback survey. o At our last Board meeting, trustees provided additional approval for staff to make changes to the 2021/22 School Year Calendar. Pleased to report the Ministry has confirmed approval for the 2021/22 School Year Calendar.
Chair Aspin thanked the Director for the report and opened the floor for comments, with none rose.
5.5 Chair’s Remarks The Chair shared remarks regarding board and community engagement initiatives as part of the conversation following the Director’s Remarks. Highlights are noted as: • The Chair echoed the accolades to trustees for their participation in the MYSP consultation. These events were a successful example of the teamwork between senior administration and the trustees. • Two items of correspondence were included for review that were received by the Chair from the OPSBA. o The first letter is related to special education. It is noted that this item will be deferred to the Special Education Advisory Committee for review and development of a recommendation back to the Board.
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Minutes of the Public Session Board Meeting of the Near North District School Board held May 18, 2021 Motion: 21-05-05, R. Learn/ H. Fry That the OPSBA correspondence be deferred to the SEAC Committee for review and development of a recommendation to come back to the Board regarding this item. – CARRIED.
• The second is related to virtual learning. It is noted that the OPSBA has coordinated a province-wide effort to express concern to the ministry regarding the proposal on-learning learning that includes the expanded mandate of TVO/TFO. The floor was opened for comments regarding this letter: o Question from Trustee Fry on whether this removes control from local school boards. Response from Trustee Fry as the OPSBA rep that this is not the case. o Trustee Steer noted that this was thoroughly discussed at OPSBA meetings, and more information is included in the OPSBA report to the Board this month. This letter is fully supported by Trustee Steer. o Vice-Chair Cochrane expressed his support for acting collectively
Motion: 21-05-06, J. Cochrane/ B. Steer That the NNDSB Board of Trustees has received and approved the correspondence received by the OPSBA regarding virtual learning, and is directing the Chair of the Board to sign on behalf of the NNDSB. – CARRIED.
• Information item shared with trustees to note the ministry has shared their intent to extend capacity for Boards to meet remotely for an additional year (until November 14, 2022). There are requirements regarding virtual meetings (trustees and the public must both have participatory electronic access) which NNDSB has instituted since the original shift to remote meetings. More information will be shared if this decision is confirmed. o Comments from trustees to note how meeting in person as a local Board is preferred, however it does speak to the environmental commitments made earlier in the agenda and open the door to further participation in meetings that would otherwise require expense and time to travel. • Chair Aspin closed his remarks by sharing with trustees that he has invited Director Myles to compile a list of potential projects for trustees to consider regarding the remaining funds in the Trustee Initiative Fund. These funds are reserved to support educational initiatives across the system.
Trustees received Chair Aspin’s report with thanks.
5.6 OPSBA Report The Chair invited Trustee Steer to lead the Board through this item. Trustee Steer referred Board members to the report shared as part of the agenda package. It is noted that many of the salient points were discussed as part of other agenda items. The floor was opened for questions, or comments with none rose.
The Chair thanked Trustee Steer for his report.
5.7 Student Trustee’s Update The Chair invited Student Trustee Paradis to speak to this item. Student Trustee Paradis
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Minutes of the Public Session Board Meeting of the Near North District School Board held May 18, 2021 referred trustees to the report shared as an addendum to the agenda package. Highlight shared regarding the outcome of the student senate election. This year's successful Student Trustee Elect is Cecilia Darling, a grade 10 student from Almaguin Highlands SS. Student Trustee Paradis has worked with C. Darling and spoke to her strong work ethic, motivation, and drive and wished her well in her role.
The Chair thanked the Student Trustee for providing her verbal report.
6.0 Items for Decision 6.1 Report from Committee of the Whole Motion: 21-05-07, D. Breault/ L. Sargent That the business of the Board of Trustees conducted during the In-Camera meeting be approved. – CARRIED.
6.2 Parry Sound Build Committee Recommendation Motion: 21-05-08, J. Cochrane/ R. Learn Motion: That the Board of Trustees of Near North District School Board approves the Parry Sound Build Committee’s Terms of Reference as presented. – CARRIED.
6.3 Parry Sound Build Committee- Town Council initiation for approval It is noted that the Near North District School Board received an invitation to present to Parry Sound Town Council regarding the status of the JK-12 build. The Chair invited Vice- Chair Cochrane to offer remarks on this item. Vice-Chair Cochrane was pleased to support this, noting council meetings are open to the public and all trustees would be welcome to attend. The presentation is tentatively scheduled for the June 1st council meeting. Trustees noted the value is remaining engaged with the town of Parry Sound through this means and expressed support for this presentation. Vice-Chair Cochrane noted also speaking with MPP Miller to attend in support of NNDSB.
Motion: 21-05-09, J. Cochrane/ H. Fry That the Board of Trustees of Near North District School Board approves of a presentation being made to the Parry Sound Town Council regarding the Parry Sound JK- 12 School Build. – CARRIED.
6.4 Finance Committee- Budget Manual for Approval As the Chair of the Finance Committee, Vice-Chair Cochrane recognized the leadership of the finance department and was pleased to recommend this document for approval. Chair Aspin noted the timelines are very helpful. Trustee Fry noted he was pleased to see a business-focused approach to this document.
Motion: 21-05-10, A. Bottomley/ H. Fry That the Board of Trustees of Near North District School Board approves the Budget Manual as presented, as recommended by the Finance Committee. – CARRIED.
7.0 Committee Reports 7.1 Standing Committees 7.1.1 Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) Committee Report
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Minutes of the Public Session Board Meeting of the Near North District School Board held May 18, 2021 Committee Chair Steer invited to lead this item for the Board. It is noted that the minutes of the MYSP Committee meetings of April 13th and April 19th, 2021, are included for information purposes. Trustees referred to the report, roadmap, and data report contained in the agenda package. Trustee Steer provided an overview on the regional virtual information sessions, and the excitement over having all trustees become involved in these sessions. Director Myles spoke to the overall process of the MYSP that has led the committee and the Board to this point. Data gathered in surveys taken after each of the six virtual Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) sessions indicated that NNDSB has begun to earn stakeholder trust, as respondents stated the board has come a long way in building trust and cautioned the board to maintain a focus on excellence in relationships. Corporate Affairs Officer, L. Blaskievich noted the MYSP draft is in its final stages and will be edited and revised before it is finalized for presentation to the Board of Trustees at the June 2021 meeting. The Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-Being is a living document that will be updated and modified to meet the needs of the entire NNDSB school community and Ministry-mandated expectations as they arise.
Chair Aspin opened the floor for further comments and questions: • Question raised regarding stakeholder feedback left on the survey. It is noted that a report is contained in the package highlighting major themes, and the MYSP Committee was able to pour over the raw data.
Chair Aspin thanked Trustee Steer, and advised he is looking forward to receiving the final report for approval next month. Trustee Steer and Director Myles are recognized for their leadership to keep this process on track amongst all the challenges of the last year.
7.1.2 Parry Sound Build Committee Report Trustees referred to the meeting minutes of May 6, 2021 contained in the package for information purposes. A report was included to share highlights from the Committee’s meeting with the architect. As the Committee Chair, Vice-Chair Cochrane noted he is very pleased to see how knowledgeable they are regarding the process from a ministry perspective. Sub-committees have been struck to focus on specific aspects of the project (sub-build committee focused on construction components and sub-programming committee focused on accommodating student, move-management, and recommendations on new school programing aspects). Sub-committees will report to the Build Committee, who will bring forward updates and decisions to the Board as needed.
The floor was opened for questions with none rose. The Chair thanked Vice- Chair Cochrane for his report.
7.1.3 W.J. Fricker Build Committee Report Trustees referred to the report in the package for information purposes. Committee Chair Steer highlighted how the board continues to work with Mitchell Jensen Architect and the ministry to move this project ahead.
The floor was opened for questions with none rose. The Chair thanked Trustee Steer for this report.
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Minutes of the Public Session Board Meeting of the Near North District School Board held May 18, 2021 7.2 Committee Meeting Minutes- Presented for information 7.2.1 SEAC- unofficial minutes- April 29, 2021 7.2.2 Finance Committee minutes- unofficial minutes- May 11, 2021
The Chair referred trustees to the minutes of the legislated committees contained in the agenda package for information purposes.
8.0 Next Meeting Date Chair Aspin confirmed the Board of Trustees would meet next on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
Board Chair Aspin took a moment to thank trustees for their involvement in all the projects the board is working on. Progress is dependent upon the dedication of each trustee, and together- there is much to look forward to. There being no further business to discuss, the Board moved to adjourn the meeting.
9.0 Motion to Adjourn Motion: 21-05-11, J. Cochrane/ A. Bottomley That we do now adjourn at 7:51 pm. – Carried
______Jay Aspin Craig Myles Chair Director of Education
8 | P a g e Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting Special Education Services May 20th, 2021 1. Call to Order – 1:02 pm
2. Attendance via TEAMS online meeting platform Harry Fry (Chair) Chris Guillemette Alan Bottomley Susan Wilson Kimberley Gignac Tracy Hanzlik Albina Lavictoire Melanie Gray Candy St. Onge Laura Hansman Lisa Paradis Karen Gratton-Miscio Louise Sargent
Regrets: Nichole King, Barb Laverock
3. Approval of Agenda: As amended May 20th, 2021 Moved – Chris Guillemette Seconded – Louise Sargent Carried. No Conflict of interest
4. Approval of Minutes: April 29th, 2021 Moved – Harry Fry Seconded- Chris Guillemette
Presentation – LEARNStyle • SEA (Special Education Amount) equipment is provided to students accessing special education programs and services with a recommendation from a therapist for equipment or technology. A SEA claim is initiated by the school team. • SEA claims-based funding is used for purchasing larger pieces of equipment such as change tables and swings. • SEA per pupil funding can be used to purchase technology for students. • This funding has been used in the past to release teachers to help support students with the use of this technology however these teachers were missed from their daily classrooms. • This year NNDSB has partnered with LEARNStyle to provide this support. LEARNStyle is an organization with experience providing technology coaching support for school boards and families. • This project was launched in NNDSB on September 25th. Five hours of training is provided to each student who has SEA technology from LEARNStyle coaches. Our initial focus targeted students in grades 7 and 8 but we have extended the project beyond this to included both junior students and secondary students. • Rick Cunningham presented to the group from the LearnStyle organization. He reviewed the structure of the organization and the role/experiences of the coaches. • He has seen through the eyes of students with learning disabilities and how it affects them as a person. • LEARNStyle has been in business for the last 13 years and understands that assistive technology is essential for these groups of students with learning disabilities. • Relationships are key, so the student will trust and follow the coach’s lead. • The discovery process is important to understand the student’s greatest need and select the best strategies to benefit students. • Areas of greatest need can be written expression, digital organization, comprehension, research, study/test taking skills and idea generation. • Data is gathered from the student and teachers are asked to verify the information. • The journey to independence is assessed and documented by gaging necessary levels of support (from requiring full guidance to full independence). • The student management and tracking system was discussed. Communications automatically go out to schools and teachers. Reports are generated from this system. As this is a web-based product, teachers have access to this system for their classroom students and Principals have access to all students in their school. • There has been great collaboration and support from staff and schools. • NNDSB staff involvement has been the highest LEARNStyle has seen • The group reviewed a few examples of a student’s LearnStyle journey. • Private tutoring is available through LEARNStyle for parents.
Motion: The SEAC committee supports providing a presentation of the LEARNStyle project at the June 2021 Board meeting.
Approver: Harry Fry Seconder: Alan Bottomley
MACSE collaboration template • The template received was identical to the one the group had already completed and sent in February 2021. • The information has been completed to the best of staff’s ability at this current time. No additional summary results have been received back from the Ministry. • The group can email Melanie Allard with any additions.
COVID-19/ Ministry updates • A significant amount of education workers received their first vaccination shot. • Students in special education classes continue to be offered face to face instruction and considerations are underway to include similar support for additional students who have similar needs to students in special education classes. • Starting this week, these students will be offered in person instruction. School teams are working with approximately an additional 25 students and families across 15 schools to create transition plans.
Correspondence – Superior Greenstone DSB • This is a letter in support of the Durham Board letter sent in 2019. • At that time, the Ministry of Education mandated 4 online courses required for graduation. Durham was expressing concern that many special education students would struggle to complete online courses. • Currently, the requirement is revised to 2 online courses with a remote learning course counted as one. There is now a process in place for exemptions that special education students can follow. • The group agreed that a letter of support is not needed with these current updates. Should this issue resurface, it was confirmed that the group would voice their concern. • This item will be revisited at the September meeting.
Correspondence - Renfrew Catholic DSB letter • The letter is in support of Bill 172, however there have been no evidence of this Bill since February. • The group reviewed the NNDSB draft letter of support that ensures all Boards are establishing FASD policies and guidelines that would include best practices. • The group supported the draft letter and confirmed that just signatures from the Chair and Vice-Chair are needed.
OPSBA letter • The group reviewed the letter written on behalf of the Northern School Boards. • The NNDSB special education team responded to the areas of strengths and areas of needs. • The group confirmed that the input provided was appropriate and sufficient in this letter.
Motion: The Near North DSB SEAC is in full support of Chair Aspin signing this letter and forwarding to the MPP. Approver: Harry Fry Seconder: Louise Sargent
Capital planning and accommodation updates • The new JK-12 build timeline/details has been shared with families. • Two sub-committees have been formed to support programming and the finer construction details.
Special Education Plan • The group reviewed the changes/updates to the plan that was made available in the SEAC package. • There are five sections that change annually: Data re IPRC’s, Special Education Staffing, Professional Development activities provided over the current school year, Accessibility to school building projects and SEAC contact information and activities (including motions passed over the year).
Motion: That the Special Education Plan 2020 - 2021 be approved as amended and forwarded to the Near North District School Board with recommendation for approval.
Approver: Chris Guillemette Seconder – Alan Bottomley
Special Education Budget • Acting Superintendent of Business Wally Easton spoke to the group. • There have not been a lot of overall changes in the grants for school boards. • The Ministry has spent a lot of time and funding around COVID. • Superintendent Easton discussed the special education breakdown and how some funding is now integrated into the GSN for this year. • The GSN’s and technical paper were released in early May.
Motion: To extend the timing of the SEAC meeting to 3:30pm. Approver: Harry Fry Seconder: Alan Bottomley
Board report • The MYSP sessions have taken place and Trustee Sargent thanked all that participated. Further information will follow shortly. • Parent Involvement sessions have also successfully taken place. • Further discussions are needed around climate change. This will be an agenda item for June’s meeting.
New Business • Land acknowledgement will be added to June’s meeting as a discussion item.
Items for next Agenda Ministry Communications/PPM Climate change Land acknowledgement SEAC annual agenda and goals for 2021-2022 Update – Special Education Supports
Standing Items: 1. Correspondence received requiring action. 2. Capital Plan and Accommodation Review 3. Special Education Plan 4. Special Education Budget 5. Question Period
Next meeting date: June 17th, 2021
Adjourned: 3:17 pm Moved: Alan Bottomley Seconded: Chris Guillemette
1.
ANNUAL REVIEW
PROPOSED REVISIONS to the SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN
Attached please find the following revisions to the Near North District School Board’s Special Education Plan for the 2020 - 2021 school year.
✓ Standard # 5 – The Identification, Placement and Review Committee
The statistics for number of new referrals and reviews for 2020 - 2021 are provided.
✓ Standard # 12 – Special Education Staff
Any changes in special education staff for 2020- 2021 are noted.
✓ Standard # 13 - Staff Development
Staff Development activities for 2020 - 2021 are summarized.
✓ Standard # 15 – Accessibility of School Buildings
Information is provided regarding the Near North District School Board’s expenditures over the 2020 - 2021 school year for renovations to school facilities to improve accessibility.
✓ The Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee
Information changes to Membership List and 2020 - 2021 activities are noted.
Note: Changes are noted in bold italics and are red.
2.
SEAC RECOMMENDATION RE: ANNUAL REVIEW
That the Special Education Plan 2020 - 2021 be approved as amended and forwarded to the Near North District School Board with recommendation for approval.
Moved by: Chris Guillemette Seconded by: Alan Bottomley Date: May 20, 2021
RESOLUTION
RE: The ANNUAL SPECIAL EDUCATION REPORT on the PROVISION of SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS and SERVICES 2020 – 2021
The following motion was passed at the May Regular Board Meeting.
6.5 Special Education Plan
That the Near North District School Board approved the updated Special Education Plan as presented May 20, 2021. Moved by: ______Seconded by: ______
22.
Conducting an IPRC Meeting
• Identification
Those in attendance at an IPRC meeting are the members of the committee and those persons specifically invited to attend by the Chair. It should be noted that parents must receive an invitation to an IPRC meeting for identification and placement and have the right to have one representative present. Parental input is encouraged throughout the process.
New identification meetings will occur throughout the year following the Special Education Intervention Process (see Section 4). After the school team has met and appropriate documentation is in place, following consultation with the parent, an IPRC is scheduled.
• Reviews
All students identified as exceptional are reviewed annually. Students are generally reviewed at the school in which they are currently enrolled. This should take place throughout the school year. However, students requiring changes in placement (i.e. junior to intermediate, intermediate to secondary, or referral to regional specialized classes) would be referred to the appropriate IPRC for reviews in April or May.
• In addition to the above an IPRC process checklist for both new identifications and review meetings is available for teachers and principals.
• IPRC documentation forms are available for easy access at the Board’s website.
Requirement - Statistics Indicator:
• IPRC statistics based on Board data base, for the previous school year are as follows: total of IPRC new referrals is 111; total number of reviews is 1585; and total number of appeals is 0.
Requirement - Parent Guide Indicator: • A copy of the Board’s Special Education Parent Guide is given to the parent of any student being considered for an IPRC. The Parent Guide is also available on the Board’s website.
54.
SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFF 2020 - 2021
Requirement - Staffing Indicator: See chart below
Special Education Staff FTE Staff Qualifications
Teachers for Resource Withdrawal 28.0 Teachers must have a minimum of Special Programs (Elementary) Education Part I Qualifications
Teachers for Self-Contained Classes 12.0 Minimum of Special Education Part I – most have (Elementary) Specialist Qualifications
Itinerant Teachers 3.0 All Specialist Teachers have at least Part I plus (1.5 of the deaf; 1.5 of the blind) additional qualifications in their specialist area Special Education Qualifications (Specialist) and Principal of Special Education 1.0 Principals – Part 1 and Part 2 Special Education Specialists and/or either Masters Coordinators 2.0 Degree and/or Principals Qualifications Contract requires minimum two year College Educational Assistants 173.5 Diploma (e.g. DSW, ECE, RNA, CYW, TA) Masters Degree in Psychology and Clinical Psychologist 1.0 Supervision Minimum of Masters Degree in Psychology Psycho-Educational Consultants 3.0 Minimum of Masters Degree in Speech-Language Speech-Language Pathologist 3.5 Pathology
Communicative Disorders Assistants 8.0 Communicative Disorders Assistant Diploma
Urban Native Student 2.0 Child and Youth Worker Diploma Child Development Counsellor Elementary and Secondary - Child and Youth Behaviour Counsellor 2.0 Worker Diploma and Autism Training Board Certified Behaviour Analyst 1.0 Hired October 2019 – Master’s Level Education Behaviour Therapist 4.0 3.0 Perm. and 1.0 Temp. (2.0 Hired Feb./Mar. 2021)
Child Development Counsellors 12.6 Child and Youth Worker Diploma EAs with Intervener Training from W. Ross Interveners (for deafblind students) 1.0 Macdonald Provincial School or Specialist Teacher
Teachers for Resource Withdrawal 11.88 Minimum of Special Education Part I Qualifications Programs (Secondary)
Teachers for Self-Contained Classes 13.51 Minimum of Special Education Part I Qualifications; (Secondary) (most have Specialist Qualifications)
Note: 4.0 Social Workers and 3.0 BRISC Workers have been hired by the Mental Health Lead
55.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT 2020 - 2021
Requirement - Goal of Special Education Staff Development Plan Indicator: To provide knowledge and skills to staff involved in the education of students with special needs.
Requirement - Staff Input Indicators: • Needs’ assessment communicated by resource teachers to coordinators. • PD surveys completed by Special Education Classroom Teachers. • Principals consulted in determining staff needs.
Requirement - SEAC Consultation Indicator: On-going updates regarding staff development workshops and sessions shared with SEAC.
Requirement - Priority Determination Indicators: • Established by Board Improvement Plan and School Improvement Plans. • System-wide and Policy-based initiatives (e.g. DI, UDL, CPS, OPP). • Regionally by specific need (e.g. Autism in-service).
Requirement - Professional Development In-Service Training provided by the Board Indicator: In-service for specific groupings:
Principals:
• Educational Technology • Behaviour Management Systems Training • Health and Safety processes, protocols and procedures re COVID 19 • LEARNStyle Assistive Technology Coaching for students with SEA equipment • Mental Health Supports in a distance format • Special Education Supports and Strategies in a time of distance education • IPRC – legislative requirements, best practices and processes for students in at-home learning format
Educational Assistants 56. • The EA Handbook – Best Practices • Personal One Page Profiles identifying strengths and training needs • Health and Safety workshops and on-line training • Health and Safety processes, protocols and procedures re COVID 19 • Social Emotional Learning • Ministry Resources for supporting Students with Special Ed. Needs • Strategies for Students with Challenging Behaviour – including de- escalating violent behaviours, addressing crises and implementing a new Behaviour Management Plan • Practical Strategies for Students with Speech and Language Needs • The Case for De-streaming • Assistive Technology Strategies
Special Education Teachers (DLRTs)
• Pre-Referral Meetings • Applied Behavioural Analysis • Strategies for studens with Challenging Behaviour • Transition Plannning • Health and Safety processes, protocols and procedures re COVID 19 • Multi-Disciplinary Team Support • Supporting ELL learners • LEARNStyle Coaching for students with SEA Equipment • SEA-it Electronic System for ordering and tracking SEA Equipment • Math De-Streaming and Anti-Racism • De-Escalating Violent Behaviour and Restorative Practices • IPRC Process and Documentation for students in distance learning
Special Education Classroom Teachers
• Alternative Programming • Health and Safety Workshops • Transition Planning – including TAY • Transportation • Loaning of SEA Equipment • Health and Safety processes, protocols and procedures re COVID 19 • Supporting students learning from home • IPRC Process and Documentation in a distance format
Central Staff
All central staff had the opportunity for self-directed Professional Development. All may apply to attend in-service workshops related to their profession. All central staff is also involved in updates and department meetings /PD annually as well as being invited to attend PD day workshops. Counsellors are provided PD organized or provided by the Mental Health Lead.
57.
Requirement - Ministry Legislation and Policy Training Indicators: • Training and information sessions for principals following release of each new Ministry document (i.e. Learning for All, Special Education In Ontario). • Intensive training sessions for resource and special education teachers following each new Ministry initiative (i.e. After School Skills Development Program). • New teachers and new vice-principals are in-serviced re: special education through the new staff induction series of workshops.
Requirement - Board Budget Allocation for Special Education Staff Development Indicators: • The staff development budget allocation for 2020 –2021 was approximately $14,000. • An additional $27,000.00 was received through Ministry of Education special project funding for professional learning activities related to autism.
59.
ACCESSIBILITY of SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Requirement - Multi-Year Capital Expenditure Plan
Indicators:
A summary of the boar’s multi-year capital expenditure plan for improving accessibility to its school buildings, grounds, and administration offices, including resources dedicated to providing barrier-free access in the coming school years can be accessed by the public at the following link: www.nearnorthschools.ca
MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN for the NEAR NORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD is currently under review.
The Plan: 1. Describes the process by which the Near North District School Board will identify, remove and prevent barriers; 2. Reviews recent efforts of the Near North District School Board to remove and prevent barriers; 3. Describes the measures the Near North District School Board will take in the period 2013-2017 to identify, remove and prevent barriers; 4. Describes how the Near North School Board will make this accessibility plan available to the public.
Communication of the Plan: In addition to the public availability of the plan as references above, the Near North District School Board will post an annual status report of the progress of the Multi- Year Accessibility Plan on the Board’s website. The Board will accommodate requests for accessibile formats of the Plan. Questions, comments or feedback regarding the Accessibility Plan may be directed to: Accessibility Planning Committee Near North District School Board 963 Airport Road, P.O. Box 3110 North Bay, ON P1B 8H1
The following accessibility projects scheduled for the 2020-2021 school year are currently complete or underway:
• Accessible parking and bus loops for pick up and drop off at West Ferris Intermediate/ Secondary School and Chippewa Intermediate/ Secondary School • Barrier-Free Accessible Washrooms at 3 elementary schools (Argyle, M T Davidson and Phelps)
61.
NNDSB SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2020 –2021 MEMBER AFFILIATION ADDRESS ALTERNATE CHAIR Community [email protected] Harry Fry Representative 705-776-9763 VICE CHAIR (Sept. -Jan-) Learning Disabilities [email protected] No Alternate Barb Lavrock Association of Ontario
VICE CHAIR (Jan.-June) Nbiising Secondary [email protected] Albina Lavictoire School
Chris Guillemette Community Living 741 Wallace Road No Alternate 705-476-3288 North Bay North Bay, ON P1A 0E6 [email protected]
Tracy Hanzlik Nipissing [email protected] 705-497-9938 First Nation Candy St. Onge Almaguin Highlands Box 370 Cindy Anne Wright 705-384-5384 Community Living Sundridge, ON P0A 1Z0 705-724-9444 [email protected] [email protected] Karen Grattan-Miscio HANDS [email protected] Michelle Dermenjian The Family Help Network Laura Hansman VIEWS [email protected]
Nichole King First Nations [email protected] Trustee Representative Louise Sargent Trustee [email protected] 705-474-9653 Representative Alan Bottomley Trustee Box 912 Sundridge, ON P0A 1Z0 705-384-5267 Representative [email protected]
BOARD RESOURCE Melanie Gray - Superintendent of Board Resource [email protected] Schools and Program Sue Wilson [email protected] Principal of Special Board Resource Education Kim Gignac - Special Ed. [email protected] Coordinator - North Board Resource Lisa Paradis - Special Ed. [email protected] Coordinator - East/West Board Resource [email protected]
Requirement - Meeting Time and Locations Indicator: • All meetings are available at each regional site via ZOOM Electronic Platform • Meetings begin at 1:00 p.m. and are held on the third Thursday of each month.
All new SEAC members are provided with copies of: Regulation 464/97, NNDSB Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) Policy (MMP#2), NNDSB Special Education Plan, NNDSB Special Education Handbook, NNDSB Special Education Parent Guide, NNDSB Educational Assistant Handbook and NNDSB Current Year’s Budget.
62. Requirement - Selection of Members Indicator: Board Policy MMP#2 (1998) describes selection of members as follows: One representative from each local association to a maximum of 12 is nominated by the local associations as in Section 1.2.1. An attempt is made to have representation from all categories of exceptionality (if available in the community). Two additional members from the community are appointed by the Board.
Requirement - Native Membership Indicator: Board Policy MMP#2 (1998) (1.2.3) states: one person and one alternate to represent the interests of First Nations students are nominated by band councils with which the Board has entered into agreement.
Requirement - Fulfillment of Roles and Responsibilities Indicators: Throughout the 2020 - 2021 school year, SEAC made the following motions:
“NNDSB will draft a letter of support for Durham DSB and their recommendations for SIP funding” – October 15, 2020
“SEAC recommends their Terms of Reference for Board approval” – March 11, 2021
“The motion put forward to the Board’s Budget Committee include the following recommendations from SEAC: • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports maintaining to the best of our ability, staff and resource support aligned with the tiered model of support currently in place across all regions of the Board. • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports maintaining and growing a multi-disciplinary model to support internal collaboration and opportunities to collaborate with community agencies/partners. • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports having Differentiated Learning Resource Teachers in all schools in order to support school level needs. • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports the best possible allocation of central staff to support early intervention, testing and specialization (speech and language, hearing, sight, behaviour, ABA) with access across the regions. • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports the maintaining of Education Assistants across the Board to enable inclusionary practices for our highest need’s students. • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports the continued use of the model of Flexible Education Assistants in all regions to best reflect the changing and evolving needs of students. • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports the professional development of all staff. • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports the prioritizing of professional development in the areas of early language development, Learning Disabilities (including LEARNStyle Coaching), a tiered approach to supporting students with challenging behaviours, One Page Profiles, and ABA strategies as aligned with innovative and evidence-based approaches to support Learning for All. • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports PD connected to Transition Planning as it connects to knowing and supporting our students according to strengths, needs, and student voice from K-12 and toward adulthood. • The SEAC for the NNDSB supports the continuation of the partnership with LEARNStyle to provide coaching opportunities for students for whom SEA equipment has been provided.” – April 29, 2021
• SEAC Participated in the following activities: - annual review of Special Education Plan. - development of the Board’s annual budget for Special Education. - review of financial statements of the Board as related to Special Education.
• SEAC had presentations on the following topics: - Special Education Staffing and Programs 2020 - 2021 - Professional Development Plans for the year -Special Education Priorities - Budget and Financial Reports - LEARNStyle Coaching for Students assigned SEA Equipment - Special Education Support – Roles/Resources Overview - IPRC documentation and Behaviour Management Plan for students Behavioural Challenges - Behaviour Supports - Speech/Language Supports - Psych. Services - Multidisciplinary Team - Ministry Updates
` P. O. Box 3110 North Bay, ON P1B 8H1 Telephone: (705) 472-8170 Fax: (705) 472-9927 www.nearnorthschools.ca Jay Aspin, Chairperson Craig Myles, Director of Education
NNDSB Equity Advisory Group Minutes May 27th, 2021 – 9:30am ZOOM online meeting
Present: Louise Sargent, Trustee Harry Fry, Trustee Tracy Hendrick, Indigenous Education Seth Compton, Outloud North Bay Jeannie Vaillancourt, North Bay Metis Laura Forget, PIC Chair Marcus Etienne, PIC Chair Margaret Soroye, NNDSB Teacher Nathan Moore, CAS Teacher Liaison Youth in Care Deborah Robertson, Multi-Cultural Society Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent of Education Susan Lessard, Mental Health Lead Karen Waller, Principal/Equity Lead Lisa Spencer, Coordinator Susan Wilson, Principal of Special Education Melanie Allard, Executive Assistant
Regrets: Nichole King, Trustee Cathy Bennett, PIC Chair Amanda Mathias-Mizzi, Education Officer, Indigenous Education & Well-being Division Sandra Zurbrigg, NNDSB Teacher Lisa Collins, Interim Executive Officer
Opening Circle • Superintendent Gray welcomed everyone to the meeting and had introductions around the table. • PRIDE 2021 was added to the meeting agenda.
Business Arising from Feedback Preferred Name
Our mission is to educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning.
• Karen attended a recent secondary principals meeting to investigate the best practices in schools and any barriers to the process. The idea is to gather all this information to help inform a consistent process that best supports all students. • Each school has some form of process, but all start with a trusted adult. • Several reasons did surface as to why the process can’t be to structured such as confidentiality concerns, I.T. issues and technology supports. • Some students do not want to share their preferred name with their parents. • This work will continue into next year to ensure there are visible, transparent processes in place and that students clearly know what steps need to be taken.
Keynote/Equity Training/ De-Streaming • The PD day featured guest speaker Kike Ojo-Thompson with the KOJO Institute. She spoke for an hour touching upon the importance of de-streaming, cultural shifts and a look at our beliefs and biases. • Support for a better understanding on equity and our belief systems and to look at the powerful unexamined ideas. We all come with ideas and thinking but don’t often share them. • In our schoolwork looking at the alignment of data and pathways. Seeing the identities of our students and the pathways they have chosen. • Some great feedback was collected from the conversations. • Kike will now be working with administrators and system leads. Three modules (each 2 hours) will be starting next week, discussing foundational concepts around equity. Examining our practices as we support equity in our schools. • It was suggested to have some sort of tracking system, (cases/incidences of racism/ evidence). This could be further investigated in the new school year. • Digging deeper into data such as success rates in academics, graduation impacts and EQAO. • A researcher (a retired TDSB staff member) has been hired to create a resource on how to use this kind of data. This resource should help guide some of this work.
Sharing of Motion Motion: The Equity Advisory Circle supports a presentation regarding NNDSB’s Indigenous Education at the June 2021 Board meeting. Approver : Louise Sargent Seconder : Margaret Soroye
New Business English Language Learners/ System Supports • Supporting ELL students in the NNDSB; examining current practices, developing a plan of action to meet goals and execution of these goals. • The group reviewed the stages that took place: ➢ Workplan knowledge – investigation and planning. Learning about the policies and where work was needed to build capacity with students and educators. Establishing where the needs in the system were. ➢ Awareness build – capacity building in schools and how to identify ELL learners. ➢ PD day with secondary educators and how to support the welcoming process. Initial assessment, baseline acquisition and how to report and connect with families. ➢ STEP resource – How to support DLRT’s with these assessments and working in schools with classroom teachers.
Our mission is to educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning.
➢ DLRT training – refining how DLRT’s support ELL students through the initial assessment. ➢ Classroom teaching training – focus on language acquisition, accommodation, and modification. Recognizing where students are and the level of support that is needed. • Looking to support equitable classroom learning. • The multicultural centre is available to help support this work, in particular with the welcoming process.
Indigenous People’s Day • As we still can’t gather in person a virtual event is being planned. A planning committee that includes grad coaches, language teachers, First Nation education counsellors and community partners has been established. • It is unsure if classes will be back in class or logging in from home. • The event will take place on June 18th (not June 21st) as many students stay home in their own communities and community partners and guests are already committed for the 21st. • Schools/classes are encouraged to celebrate on the 21st in their own ways. • A welcome will take place in the morning with guest speakers and then breakout sessions. Classes will register and pick sessions from many different options. • Tracy asked the group to follow up with her with any Metis Nation contacts. • Session options will include drum teachings, language teachings and Canadore will be doing a STEAM project. • The event will need to remain internal if the students are at home due to the online platform. However, if students are back in the classrooms, the event can be shared outside the Board. • The group was encouraged to email Tracy with any ideas or comments.
PRIDE 2021 • The plan is still in development. • A position was created for a youth outreach worker with a focus on LGBTQ. Congratulations goes out to Seth Compton for being the successful candidate. • Sue discussed the provincial meeting she attended and the data that is being released. Families with low protective factors and marginalized groups have been most impacted by COVID. • Rates of mental health disorders have not increased pre pandemic, but what is increasing is emotional distress, disordered eating, and substance abuse. These are areas the mental health team will need to focus on. • Adults in these homes are struggling which spins out to the children. How do we reach out to help these parents? There has been funding received to provide summer programming for mental health. • Suggestions to reach parents were using the child’s and parents NNDSB email. Many parents check email regularly with online schooling. Edsby would also be a well-used option by many parents. Phone calls were suggested for foster parents/ kin families as the older demographic struggles with online connections. • Services are available online using the TEAMS platform however youth are asking for face-to- face support. When restrictions allow, face to face will resume in a safe environment. • The mental health team is hopeful that in person camps and drop ins can start in July. • Parents are also craving connections and would benefit from sharing their experiences.
Our mission is to educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning.
• It was suggested that a Board report could be done that would include ideas generated from this group. This would be posted with the minutes and board package on the website. This could be another area of communication and awareness. • Any ideas can be emailed to Sue Lessard.
Collaboration/ Reflections/ Next Steps • The group completed an exercise where they could click on the link on the padlet and add in comments and thoughts to four categories: ➢ Need to know ➢ Excited about ➢ Wonderings ➢ Suggestions for next steps • The group discussed the four areas and how student voice is so important. Students need to report what they are experiencing but must feel safe and comfortable doing so. • These are challenging conversations.
Next meeting date: October 7th, 2021 9:30am – 11:30am.
Our mission is to educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning.
TENDERS May 14, 2021 to June 09 2021
A B C D E F G H I J K 1 Closing Date Project Location Bidders Submitting Bids Awarded to Net Award Tax Total Budget Contract Rational 2301149 Ontario Inc. o/a Helix Contracting NNDSB 2021-011 Canor Construction Lowest compliant May 18, 2021 Washroom Renovations & Argyle Public School Canor $528,000.00 $68,640.00 $596,640.00 $ 712,552.00 Jobson Consulting Inc. bidder Domestic Water Upgrades Kenalex Construction Ltd
2 Venasse Building Group Bernard Rochefort Limited NNDSB 2021-013 Mattawa Public Venasse Buikding Group Bernard Rochefort May 28, 2021 $136,500.00 $17,745.00 $154,245.00 $ 125,000.00 Low Bidder P.A. System, Lighting Upgrades School Kenalex Constrruction Company Limited 11119359 Ontario Ltd 3
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2021-06-09 Page 1
Head Office May 21, 2021 P.O. Box 3110 963 Airport Road. North Bay, ON P1B 8H1 Fax: 705.472.9927 Dear Ms. Cecilia Darling, Main switchboard for all offices: 705.472.8170 On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Near North District School Board, I wish to congratulate you on your election to the role of Student Trustee. Toll free: 1.800.278.4922 I thank you for taking on the responsibility of representing the many and Web site: www.nearnorthschools.ca incredibly diverse student voices in our school board. You have an exciting opportunity to work together with trustees, student leaders and senior staff to
influence the future direction of education in our board.
During your term as a Student Trustee, there will be many demands and
expectations to balance, and I assure you that the Board will be there to
support you. Student Trustees provide valuable perspectives at the board
table for the Near North District School Board. We recognize the key role you
play as a leader within the system acting as a conduit for student voice through the Student Senate.
Once again, please accept my sincere congratulations and warm welcome to the NNDSB Board of Trustees. I look forward to hearing from you when your term begins.
Yours sincerely,
______Jay Aspin, Board Chair
CC: Craig Myles, Director of Education NNDSB Board of Trustees
Our mission is to educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning.
Head Office June 3, 2021 P.O. Box 3110 963 Airport Road. North Bay, ON P1B 8H1 Mr. Norm Miller, M.P.P. Fax: 705.472.9927 Parry Sound Constituency Office Main switchboard 26 James Street for all offices: 705.472.8170 Parry Sound, ON P2A 1T5 Toll free: 1.800.278.4922 Dear Mr. Miller: Web site: www.nearnorthschools.ca
On behalf of our Near North District School Board thank you for attending the
Parry Sound Town Council meeting on June 1, 2021. Your attendance was
an important demonstration of our shared commitment to building the most
effective school possible within the financial and educational parameters
outlined by the Ministry of Education.
Council’s questions as well as those on behalf of your constituents were insightful and thoughtful and we are most appreciative. As mentioned during the Council meeting, our website www.nearnorthschools.ca contains an open invitation to provide feedback or seek further clarification regarding this build. Director Craig Myles has organized a Parry Sound Community Review on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 commencing at 7:00 PM for members of the community interested in a presentation by the Ventin Group (+VG), our architects that we contracted for the project. We would be pleased to have you attend, or extend this invitation to any constituents that approach your office with questions regarding the JK-12 school build.
We certainly look forward to celebrating the opening of this wonderful educational facility with you.
Yours sincerely,
______Jay Aspin, Board Chair
CC: Craig Myles, Director of Education NNDSB Board of Trustees
Our mission is to educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning.
Head Office June 3, 2021 P.O. Box 3110 963 Airport Road. North Bay, ON P1B 8H1 His Worship, Jamie McGarvey Fax: 705.472.9927 Mayor, Town of Parry Sound Main switchboard 52 Seguin Street for all offices: 705.472.8170 Parry Sound, ON P2A 1B4 Toll free: 1.800.278.4922 Dear Mayor McGarvey and Members of Parry Sound Council: Web site: www.nearnorthschools.ca On behalf of our Near North District School Board thank you for the
opportunity to present and the time permitted for our team to answer
questions with regard our JK-12 school slated for Parry Sound.
Your questions as well as those on behalf of your citizens were insightful and
thoughtful and we are most appreciative. As mentioned during the Council
meeting, our Board is determined to build the most effective school possible
within the financial and educational parameters outlined by the Ministry of Education.
Our website www.nearnorthschools.ca contains an open invitation to provide feedback or seek further clarification regarding this build. Director Craig Myles has organized a Parry Sound Community Review on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 commencing at 7:00 PM for members of the community interested in a presentation by the Ventin Group (+VG), our architects that we contracted for the project.
We certainly look forward to celebrating the opening of this wonderful educational facility with you.
Yours sincerely,
______Jay Aspin, Board Chair
CC: Craig Myles, Director of Education NNDSB Board of Trustees
Our mission is to educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning.
PD Opportunities Calendar
Title: June 2021 Trustee Professional Development Opportunities Calendar
Scheduled Every second Thursday from February to May, OPSBA offers online lunchtime Opportunities speakers and professional development sessions for trustees.
A number of previous OPSBA sessions have been recorded and may be viewed here:
https://www.opsba.org/events-and-publications/public-education-symposium/
Ongoing Opportunities • Ontario Public School Board Association’s “Trustee Development Program” modules https://modules.ontarioschooltrustees.org/
• Ministry of Education governance resources http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/leadership/govern_resources. html
• Trustee election resources http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/trustee- elections/index.html
• Canadian School Boards Association (CSBA) School District Governance- Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations https://www.cdnsba.org/governance-resources
Registration Trustees may reach out to Krista Messenger via email at Support [email protected] for registration support if they are unsuccessful in self-registering by following the links above, or to request printed copies of the material to review, where available.
Title: K-12 Program Report – June 2021
Contact: Superintendent Tim Graves
Date Submitted: June 9th, 2021
This report is intended to provide a board update related to K-12 Program and Curriculum initiatives. This synopsis is reflective of many of the key priorities K-12 Program staff have been engaged in Mandate: over the last several months to support a continuation of learning during the COVID-19 school closures, develop innovative programming, and ensure the success of all learners. Background: Each program summary provides a brief overview and contextual information.
Remote Learning: During the Remote Learning period, teachers have leveraged board tools to ensure a continuation of learning and well-being. Students continue to benefit from a wide-range of board provided virtual resources - including Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, Virtual Library, Dreambox Learning, and more. Educators across K-12 have actively engaged in professional learning, including webinars, staff meetings and collaboration groups to refine and improve student engagement and achievement. Professional learning has contributed to enhanced differentiation of instruction, assessment, and communication with families. Staff continue to engage students using a variety of approaches to remote learning including online synchronous learning, phone connections, assignments submitted by email, off-line tasks and more.
The NNDSB has continued to allow both secondary and elementary students to use board owned technology and LTE enabled hotspot devices. Increased numbers of “centrally purchased” devices have allowed those who require devices to access them.
Program coordinators and administrators have also maintained a professional learning portal that has served as a support hub for staff. Resources and tutorials have been shared to support staff with our various learning platforms with a focus on communication, documentation, assessment and content management. This site also serves as a communication portal with news posts and information regarding upcoming webinars and session recordings. A similar
963 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8H1 | Tel: 705.472.8170 | nearnorthschools.ca
support site has been developed for students to help them navigate their various digital learning tools and platforms.
K-8 Mathematics Curriculum Implementation: The introduction of a new mathematics curriculum for grades 1-8 was announced in June 2020. This updated curriculum continues the ministry’s focus on the development of conceptual understanding connected with procedural knowledge in mathematics, with a strong focus on number sense. Over the last three years, the Near North District School Board has identified a focus on the development of number sense and operational fluency and will continue to build teacher capacity in these areas. Additionally, new focus areas in Coding, Financial Literacy and Mathematical Modelling ensure that students are prepared with relevant learning for today’s society. Our board-developed assessment resources have been revised to reflect the new curriculum.
Amid the challenges experienced during this school year, educators continue to demonstrate a high level of commitment to learning. All Math Educators, K-12, engaged in learning related to the new Math Curriculum through a board-wide virtual PD session on Sept. 3, 2020 and over 100 educators have participated in a series of virtual/webinar Professional Development sessions related to Mathematics during September and October. Additional professional learning opportunities have been offered throughout the school year. Educators are finding new ways to engage in assessment and professional development practices, continuing to strive towards the goal of developing capable and confident mathematicians.
Provincial Math Strategy Target Schools: In the 10 elementary target schools, math leads have been working alongside classroom teachers to identify student learning needs, support responsive pedagogy, and work with small groups of primary students to address emerging learning needs, using precise, targeted goals and actions. Educators are continuing with the implementation of the new Grade 1-8 Mathematics curriculum with support from school and board math leads and the Ministry of Education, including remote co-planning and teaching, webinars, and lesson supports.
Grade 9 Math De-Streaming Implementation: Last summer, the Ministry of Education announced that, beginning in September 2021, school boards will begin the process of ending streaming students into academic or applied courses. In September, the de-streaming of the grade 9 foundational math program is the first step in this process. Equity is a moral imperative in our schools.
963 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8H1 | Tel: 705.472.8170 | nearnorthschools.ca
In preparation for the de-streamed grade 9 math course, educators are exploring resources and pedagogy to support multi-level math classrooms and “unpack” data to better understand barriers to student success. The April 23rd PD Day focused on framing this learning through the lens of “Cultural shifts in schools and across the system to identify and dismantle systemic discrimination and structural inequities.” In June, grade 8 students will be participating in a “transition” survey to gather information about their learning preferences, confidence, and mindset towards mathematics as they look towards grade 9. This survey was developed by a committee of intermediate and high school educators and administrators and the Board-based K-12 Math Facilitator. Grade 9 classroom teachers will use this information in planning for the new course and will extend it through one-on-one interviews with students at the start of the grade 9 math course. The continuation of cross-panel collaboration will be at the core of this work moving forward. The student data and learner profiles will also support the alignment of students with transition supports, including summer learning opportunities.
EQAO Field Testing:
OSSLT - The Near North District School Board engaged in "field testing" the new online OSSLT assessment between March and April 2021. The field test was available to students who attended learning in-person. The field test provided an opportunity for students in Grades 10 and 11, and non-graduating Grade 12 students, to attempt the test and, if successful, have it acknowledged on their transcript. The "field testing' opportunity allowed students and educators to become confident using the adaptive technology-enabled assessment model. Over 750 NNDSB students participated in the OSSLT field test prior to the April school closures. School staff ensured class cohorts were maintained and that all necessary public health directives and school-board health and safety measures continued.
Grade 9 Mathematics - The Grade 9 Mathematics Assessment "field testing" was launched during Octomester 3 - with the first assessment window occurring in the final week (December 14th-18th). Students actively registered (in-school) in a Grade 9 Applied/Academic course were able to participate in the field test. The field test was introduced to allow students and educators to become familiar and confident using the new assessment platform. The assessment consisted of approximately 2 x 60 minutes sessions (including 50 multiple choice questions). Teachers benefitted from both board and ministry professional learning. Student participants contributed to feedback 963 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8H1 | Tel: 705.472.8170 | nearnorthschools.ca
shared with EQAO field test staff.
New Teacher Induction Program: Throughout the 2020-21 school year, the New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) has looked quite different than other years due to COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent health and safety measures. At the outset of the school year, we were able to provide NTIP Board Orientation sessions virtually to small groups of NTIP educators. The Board Level Orientation provided new teachers with important information about Human Resources and Health and Safety in the NNDSB as well as an introduction to the Key Elements and timelines of the NTIP. Although face to face meetings and release time have been limited this year due to COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, many professional development and mentorship opportunities have been provided. NTIP Teachers along-side other staff accessed virtual webinars each Wednesday of the school year. Webinar topics ranged from mathematics, and literacy to outdoor education and the Duty to Report among other topics. Although all educators in the NNDSB were welcome to attend the webinar series, some were focused on core concepts valuable to NTIP teachers such as an overview of assessment and evaluation. All webinars were available either live or via recording.
Many educators were able to access Mentor-coach opportunities both informally and formally, virtually or face-to-face depending on the restrictions in place at that time. Mentors and mentees were able to access release time for these on-on-one meetings.
Early and Later Literacy Intervention: This work continues to focus on the implementation of diagnostic assessment to determine individual student learning needs and the use of effective instructional strategies and resources to support the acquisition of skills. Capacity building has begun in schools with Early Literacy Intervention teachers (K-6) who work with students identified as needing additional reading support. A series of Professional Development sessions (10) and weekly drop-in sessions have formed the structure of this capacity building. This initiative now includes a “Later Literacy Working Group” to support the learning and work of teachers providing literacy intervention to students in Grade 7 and 8. An extension of this project includes the review and evaluation of current evidenced-based literacy assessments and resources which will be reflected in the NNDSB Assessment Framework, which is now in development. The collaboration between Special Education and the Program Team has contributed to the success of this initiative.
963 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8H1 | Tel: 705.472.8170 | nearnorthschools.ca
Fall 2021, this project will grow to include classroom educators across the system (specifically, FDK and Gr. 1 teachers). Our newly trained literacy intervention teachers will support collaborative teacher learning and implementation with students. Additional steps to build capacity with our secondary educators will mirror the cross-panel work now taking place with the creation of learner profiles (de- streaming) for our Gr. 8 students to help ensure success in their transition to the secondary panel. This work aligns with the Provincial de-streaming mandate and the release of new math and literacy curriculums to support it.
Early French Immersion Literacy: A working group consisting of JK – 2 educators from each school delivering French Immersion are reviewing best practices to ensure intentional use of Literacy Instructional time, in both French and English. The initiative will contribute to a resource guideline that can inform instructional decisions, create consistent practices across the Near North and ensure equity of resources and supports between the Immersion and English Tracks. The work is being supported by a partnership with Special Education (Kara Macie, Speech Pathologist and consultant work by Nancy Wise, OSIE, and informed by Ministry Documents and the Right to Read Panel findings.
Summer Learning Program (Elementary): Annual Summer Learning Programs will see an increase in both the number of Camps being offered as well as supporting a greater range of needs to be responsive to the potential learning loss experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 11 Camps will support students in grades 1 –8, in both Literacy and Numeracy across the three regions in the Board. Programs will be offered both in-person and remotely and will welcome students from across all regions of our district. The Programs will support both academic and social emotional learning needs. Additional funding allocations from the Ministry of Education have enabled the program expansion. The program will support more than twice the number of students with over 200 students already registered.
Summer Learning Program (Secondary): Our Secondary Summer School program will be offered remotely from July 5th - July 30th. Registration is currently open, and courses will be run based on enrollment. In addition to our main program, we are offering a program at the Canadian Ecology Centre and a variety of Educational Community Partnership Programs. The “technology enabled remote learning” model will enable students from across
963 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8H1 | Tel: 705.472.8170 | nearnorthschools.ca
regions to access this opportunity. We have partnered with the Ontario E-Learning Consortium (OELC) to offer our courses to any of our partner boards in the province. This is the first year we have done this, and staff anticipate that this will expand our course offerings and increase enrollment in our summer programs.
Remote Learning - Tutoring Support: In response to the most recent school closures due to COVID-19, educators have been hired to offer “remote” tutoring services to families across our district. Students in grades 1-12 have been invited to access online, one-on one tutoring experiences to support literacy, numeracy or general homework help. The 30-minute tutoring sessions were delivered after school hours from Monday to Thursday. Educators experienced in the Remote Learning model delivered the instruction. French Language support was also available. This opportunity has been well received by parents and students, and participation has been extremely high. As of June 3rd, 187 tutoring sessions have been provided.
High Performance Program and Hockey Canada Academy Program: The NNDSB has held preliminary discussions with a group, represented by the North Bay Battalion and Powassan Voodoos that are planning to offer a high-performance hockey program in North Bay for both elementary and secondary students. The group is hoping to launch the program in September and is looking to partner with the NNDSB. Additional meetings are scheduled in early June to look at possible program and partnership models.
Furthermore, the NNDSB has been exploring additional collaboration opportunities with Hockey Canada/Hockey Canada Academy programs that would be available to any school within the NNDSB. Staff have been in communication with Hockey Canada Academy schools in Bracebridge, Sudbury, and Sault Ste. Marie to gather preliminary information. Next steps include taking a group, including teachers, to visit White Pines Collegiate and Vocational School to observe their program in September. If approved, we would submit an application to Hockey Canada for implementation for September 2022.
Ontario e-Learning Consortium (OeLC): The OeLC is comprised of a collective of Ontario School Boards, each of which has entered into mutual agreement to open their eLearning courses to all students throughout member boards without a course fee. Currently, the Consortium supports 34 member boards,
963 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8H1 | Tel: 705.472.8170 | nearnorthschools.ca
both Public and Catholic, representing students who reside in both metropolitan and rural areas throughout Ontario. The NNDSB joined the OeLC in November 2020, to offer a greater variety of courses to our students, especially our grade 11 and 12 students learning remotely. So far this year, 42 NNDSB students took e-learning courses with other boards and 38 students from other boards took e- learning courses from the NNDSB. This has been a great partnership that we will continue for the 2021-2022 school year.
Cooperative Education and Ontario Youth Apprentice Program: COVID-19 restrictions dramatically reduced the number and availability of community-based COOP placements. Virtual placements, when available, were limited to business in limited employment sectors. These factors led to a dramatic reduction in the number of students that benefited from authentic COOP work placements and the opportunity to participate in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). The COVID-19 health and safety measures and restrictions also created new challenges for the delivery of OYAP. Fewer community-based placements resulted in a notable reduction in OYAP opportunities. NNDSB students requesting registration as apprentices through OYAP dropped approximately 90% this year in relation to previous years. Specialist High Skills Major Programs: COVID-19 has temporarily altered the way that the NNDSB delivered the SHSM programs. Programs worked collaboratively to offer combined online certifications. Despite this cooperation, we have not been able to run all of the required courses for all SHSM programs. In particular, COOP credit requirements have presented a challenge for our SHSM students. The Ministry has acknowledged this obstacle and students will still graduate with a red seal regardless of this requirement. NNDSB SHSM programs have been able to build strong partnerships with local community businesses to support our Sector Partnered Experiences, most notably, through Sports at Chippewa. Despite the pandemic restrictions, we have gained 38 more students this year in Health and Wellness at Chippewa Secondary School. We also submitted two new program applications (Hospitality and Tourism at WFSS and Mining at NSS) as well as additional funding to support COOP sections at West Ferris Secondary School and Northern Secondary School. All were successful and we look forward to implementation in 2021-2022.
Dual Credits: Dual Credit programming has faced many challenges this year. The Octomester model did not align well with the College schedule, and 963 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8H1 | Tel: 705.472.8170 | nearnorthschools.ca
staff had to be creative in terms of how they delivered the courses. During Octomester 3/4 NNDSB ran Early Childhood Education and Counselling dual credits completely online. Student achievement indicators such as attendance, retention, and course completion declined when compared to on-campus delivery. One notable success included “level one” programs (Automotive Service Tech, Truck and Coach and Small Engine). The Ministry declared apprentice's essential services and Canadore produced creative scheduling solutions to allow these students on campus. For example, Truck and Coach is now in two cohorts and one group attends in the morning and the next in the afternoon until 5:30pm. Dual credit applications are now being reviewed for the 2021-2022 school year.
Outdoor Education: The Near North District School Board has partnered with the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) and the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (GBBR) to offer engaging, curriculum focused outdoor learning opportunities to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Although this school year has seen multiple disruptions to in- school learning, both the CEC and GBBR have pivoted to offer virtual opportunities for NNDSB staff and students.
The Canadian Ecology Centre continues to offer the OWLS (Outdoor Ways of Learning and Sharing) program to classrooms. Classrooms engaged in the OWLS program had the opportunity to share many face-to-face learning opportunities in the Fall and early Winter. Currently, four different schools and eight classrooms ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 8 including an Extended French class, have taken part in learning experiences with CEC and the OWLS program. During remote learning periods, the CEC shared virtual lessons with the classrooms involved in the OWLS program. They provided videos and associated lessons, activities, prompts and provocations for learning.
The CEC also shared a webinar for all staff “Connecting Curriculum to Outdoor Learning – K-12". In this virtual webinar, the CEC shared their expertise in lifting curriculum out of, fun, outdoor activities. They also shared tips on planning outdoor lessons and activities to address particular learning goals and curriculum expectations. NNDSB continues to work alongside the CEC to develop programming for high school classes during the school year as well as through the summer months.
963 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8H1 | Tel: 705.472.8170 | nearnorthschools.ca
The GBBR provided virtual learning experiences for our remote school throughout the Fall. They also pivoted quickly to virtual experiences for classrooms when face-to-face opportunities were not available due to COVID-19 restrictions. They have offered “Ask a Naturalist” sessions in which students and teachers could focus on particular topics of learning as well as the very popular “Lessons in a Backpack” that focus on the 1-8 science curriculum. The GBBR has recently begun to offer a new series of online learning for grades 3-5 developed by the Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth (GBAY) involving their birchbark canoe (wiigwaas jiimaan) named Oshkinigig. This learning opportunity called 'Learning with Oshkinigig' combines Indigenous Science and Western Science within an environmental context. That the Near North District School Board receive the K-12 Program Recommendation: report.
963 Airport Road, North Bay, Ontario P1B 8H1 | Tel: 705.472.8170 | nearnorthschools.ca
BOARD REPORT Title: School Trip Preparedness Contact: Superintendent Gay Smylie Date Submitted: June 9, 2021
Background: Near North is committed to ensuring safe environments for all students and staff, whether they are on or off school property. NNDSB recognizes the abundant learning experiences that exist outside of the school grounds and how these experiential, real-life activities deepen students’ understanding and application of curriculum concepts. We want our students to benefit from these types of activities as often as possible and are therefore undergoing a review of our policies and processes to ensure that they i) reflect provincial best practices and ii) provide parents with as much information as possible so that they can make informed decisions when providing consent.
Information: A rigorous review of our current Administrative Guideline “Risk Management for School and Out of Classroom High Risk Activities” will ensure that our practices and polices are, at minimum, in sync with provincial best practices, as identified by experts in the field including OPHEA and OSBIE, and, where possible, exceed provincial standards. We view NNDSB becoming a provincial leader in the areas of risk management and parent engagement related to out of school activities.
To meet the aims as described above, specifically the ability for staff to engage parents in better understanding the curriculum connections and potential hazards associated with any off-property excursion, we are testing the use of the School Trip Preparedness (STP) template. This highly visual method of communication shares the proposed out-of-school learning opportunity with parents using maps, pictures and concise language to identify: ✓ The 5 Ws of the activity and Rationale for attending ✓ Map links for parents and emergency services ✓ Contact information of leaders and providers ✓ Curricular Links ✓ Initial Assessment and Acknowledge of Risk ✓ Emergency preparedness including communication protocols and mustering areas ✓ Significant areas related to the activity, presented in a visual manner including drop off/pick-up, accommodation, potential risk snapshot photographs ✓ Maps for utilization by leaders, parents and emergency services ✓ Transportation, schedule of events and necessary forms
BOARD MEETING | Date
Next Steps: NNDSB will be training our Specialist High Skills Major lead teachers on how to complete the School Trip Preparedness Template. Bill Steer, a faculty member of the Schulich School of Education, will provide them with training, as well as feedback regarding their STP submission, at the first training event on June 16, 2021. Future training dates will be held in the 2021-2022 school year.
Using information gathered from this first round of training, including teacher feedback, we will update our Administrative Guideline to reflect any new practices or methods of communication that would promote alignment between the Guideline and the STP template.
Recommendation: That the Board of Trustees receive the report provided as an item of information.
BOARD MEETING | Date
Title: Director’s Update
Contact: Craig Myles, Director of Education
Date Submitted: Board Meeting June 15, 2021 Welcome As the school year quickly comes to an end our focus is on student success, graduations, staff retirements, twenty-five year employee milestone recognition and summer learning.
As a school community, Near North District School Board was deeply struck by the discovery of the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. Our thoughts are with the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation, the surrounding First Nations of this area, and all Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island.
This disturbing discovery reinforces our commitment to make reconciliation a priority in our board. We commit to transforming our education system to decolonize our practices and our minds and to honour Indigenous histories, cultures and perspectives today and every day.
Program Monthly Kudos Honourees- May 2021 Updates Kudos to Liana Blaskievich, Andrew Busch, Lisa Collins and Larry Paquette who are working diligently toward the development of a formalized succession planning process for educators. Busch is involved in the process, as an HR expert and will be involved in succession planning for non-teaching staff which will be developed in 2021/22. Collins and Paquette have been instrumental in determining meaningful learning for principals and vice principals. The team will be joined this summer by Lisa Spencer who will support the review of learning content for aspiring teacher leaders. The framework has been built according to the Director’s plan and an exciting new blended mode of learning is in the development stages.
Graduation Celebrations Following the report shared at the Board of Trustees meeting in May, schools continue to look forward to honouring students and commemorating graduations and year end celebrations while ensuring strict adherence to established health and safety protocols. Our principals are working diligently with their staff and school communities to determine the best way to commemorate this special event in light of the recent lifting of many restrictions by the province and changes to parts of the Re-Opening Ontario roadmap.
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Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC) Leadership Interim Executive Officer Lisa Collins has been an active member of the Ontario Principals’ Council serving as OPC’s President-Elect for 2020-2021. We are glad to report she will be moving into the role of President for the 2021-2022 school year. Principal Collins began her career with us in 1998 with a focus on special education. Her support to our students and communities is highly valued. This rich learning experience will benefit Lisa and in turn the Board, greatly upon her return.
NNDSB is pleased to acknowledge the contributions of Principal Christopher Walkling and Principal Laurent Paquette, who served as a Provincial Councillors over the past year with OPC. Provincial Councillors take part in discussions about issues of a provincial nature, as well bringing forward local best practices and issues.
Student Trustee Recognition We want to thank and acknowledge our 2020/2021 Student Trustee for all the hard work and continuing commitment to student voices during this past school year. Madeline Hall-Paradis has done an excellent job of keeping the Board of Trustees updated on student activities and Student Senate priorities. We are grateful for her voice to represent our students and wish her well.
Multi-Year Strategic Plan- Recognition of Trustee Leadership As part of the agenda this evening, the 2021-2026 Multi-Year Strategic Plan will be presented. This plan is the result of many months of hard work by countless internal and external stakeholders. The Multi-Year Strategic Plan Committee spent a great deal of time looking at data, assessing strengths and weaknesses, understanding challenges, and exploring opportunities. The board has utilized surveys and focus groups, and open discussion that included a cross-section of our community. Many people also took the opportunity to review multiple drafts and provide feedback.
To all trustees, this plan was strengthened in so many ways through your participation. Your perspectives have influenced how the board will prioritize the activities and resources that support our mission and help us achieve our vision. On behalf of the senior administration, we thank you, and we hope that you are proud of the plan that we have created together.
Ontario Active School Travel Fund Approval- Cycling Program NNDSB was pleased to be featured in the June 2021 Green Communities Canada publication regarding the board’s successful Ontario Active School Travel (OAST) application. In partnership with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit via the Healthy Schools Team, NNDSB applied to lead a comprehensive cycling skills program with support from local partners. The 2 | P a g e
program follows the CAN Bike curriculum, focusing on providing grade 7 and 8 students with the opportunity to learn to cycle safely to school and around their neighborhoods. With financial support of Green Communities Canada (GCC) and the Government of Ontario, NNDSB purchased a fleet of bicycles and trailer to facilitate transportation of the bikes between elementary school communities within our school board district. Special thanks to the Healthy Schools Team under the leadership of Acting Superintendent Smylie for developing this successful application.
Event updates Special Recognition Days This Month NNDSB is pleased to acknowledge special recognition days for their educational value, and connection to the Board’s mission, vision, and strategic plan. The following are a few examples noted this month. Meaningful ways individual schools recognized each day are featured on school websites.
Pride Month In June we celebrate PRIDE. This is an opportunity to celebrate diversity and raise awareness about the culture and history of LGBTQ communities. It is essential that all our students and staff feel valued and have a sense of belonging within the schools of the NNDSB. With celebrations happening virtually again this year, PRIDE month continues to provide opportunities for celebrating and learning about LGBTQ communities.
National Indigenous History Month June is National Indigenous history month. We celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples by taking part in learning and events. It is a time to acknowledge history, honour Indigenous heritage and celebrate Indigenous culture.
NNDSB will celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 18, so that our school community can spend June 21st (summer solstice) celebrating with home communities. Thanks is expressed to the board’s Indigenous Education Lead, T. Hendrick, under the leadership of Acting Superintendent Gray, for organizing a rich virtual event that will feature powerful read alouds, Grandfather Drumming, tipi teachings, and regalia/dancing.
National Day to Promote Health and Fitness for All Canadians June 5th is recognized as a national date to promote health and fitness across Canada. As a former physical education educator, Coach, referee and athlete, I recognize the importance of sports and activity in our school community.
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Chair’s Remarks – June 2021
As we draw down to the completion of this year’s school calendar year, it is an opportune occasion to review our notable accomplishments over the past six months as a board. Despite the significant impactful challenges of the pandemic, it has been a busy year of progress for NNDSB. Our Board of Trustees, in partnership with Director Craig Myles, his team and our employees are working diligently toward our shared goal of building one of the best educational systems in the province. During the past six months we have moved much closer to that goal by accomplishing more of the necessary building blocks. During this latest period, we have placed emphasis on the completion of a Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) for the 5-year span 2021-2026. This plan, which will be our compass over a longer term, is a key element our board will undertake as it realigns our resources with the overarching goal of student achievement and wellbeing. This arduous work was undertaken entirely by our staff with help from the Ministry and vital input from our employees. Hand in hand with this development, our board is working closely with Director Myles towards his goal of system reorganization to accomplish the goals identified in the MYSP. It is our strong desire to have the “right people in the right place to achieve the right results”. In addition, our board has undertaken a North Bay Facilities Study to ensure our board is continually responding to the challenges of declining enrolment and fiscal stewardship within its largest student population. Recommendations by the study have been very well received and are being actioned. Our board has continued to place its finishing touches on the successful consolidation of our North Bay high schools to further improve and expand programming opportunities by providing new equipment that will meet the needs of 21st century learning. Our board has also moved forward with the necessary elements for the construction of two brand new schools for the region. Architectural plans for the K-12 Parry Sound High School have been tabled and positioning for the tender the Fricker elementary school is being finalized. These accomplishments couldn’t be achieved without the collaborative team-work approach of the Board of Trustees working hand in hand with the system. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to each and every Board Trustee, administrative team member and staff member as we continue to improve the Near North in every aspect driving toward our goal of providing the “top notch” educational system we all are striving for. Let’s continue to double down on this work.
Thank you! Student Trustee Update
Regular Board Meeting
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
6:30 p.m.
Good evening fellow board members,
With the school year drawing to a close, schools in the Near North District School Board are actively engaging in and planning end-of-year activities. In light of current public health restrictions, schools have adapted to ensure graduating students still have special mementos such as graduation photos and a ceremony to celebrate this milestone in their educational journey. At
Chippewa, students could pick up grad gowns and caps from the school and then take their photos at home. At Almaguin, staff were proactive and anticipated possible interruptions to in- class learning, so graduation photos were taken outdoors in the fall by two co-op students. Last week, students at Northern booked a time slot to go into the school to have their graduation photos taken by the staff. In the reference section below, I have included a few graduation photos shared by my peers to showcase how nicely they came together. With this school year being so irregular, graduating senior students have expressed how grateful they are toward staff and administrators for making this possible.
This year, the Ontario Student Trustee’s Association has worked closely with the Toronto Youth
Cabinet regarding menstrual equity in all Ontario schools. Part one in this process involves reallocating the hygiene products that students currently need to seek out to all female and gender-neutral washrooms, making them more accessible for the student who needs them. While part one is underway, part two of the project is a province-wide initiative that implores the government to fully fund free menstrual hygiene products. While the Near North District School
Board already provides these resources, provincial funding would help sustain it.
Every school board in Ontario is being asked to write a letter detailing the need for said funding and how it would benefit our schools. In the reference section below, I have attached a letter sent by the Toronto District School Board regarding the need for this funding. OSTA-AECO hopes that each Student Trustee can advocate for their respective board to send letters similar to that of
TDSB. After meeting with Stephen Mensah, I understand how imperative it is to work towards menstrual equity in schools to allow every student equal opportunities to be successful.
Additionally, with June being Pride Month, every school is offering information and resources via their social media and running initiatives such as a photo contest showcasing your pride or solidarity for the LGBTQ2S+ community as demonstrated by students in the reference section below. Staff and students are encouraged to submit photos to [email protected] to participate in a board-wide Pride video that will be showcased later in the month.
Thank you for the opportunity to amplify the voice of students in the Near North District School
Board and share updates from our schools.
Madelaine Hall-Paradis
Student Trustee References
Chippewa Secondary School Student, Jenna Mclellan taking her graduation photos at home
Almaguin Highlands Secondary Students Lily Wager and Carly Paul. Photos taken by AHSS co-op students Emma McFarlane and Hannah Ferrante
Letter to Minister Lecce from the Toronto District School Board.
Link to letter: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/News/Article-Details/ArtMID/474/ArticleID/1639/Letter-
Access-to-Free-Menstrual-Products-for-Students-in-Ontario-Schools
Almaguin Highlands SS Student Jackson Paul and West Ferris SS Student Emily St.John showcasing their pride
Title: Royal Bank Borrowing Resolutions Contact: Interim Superintendent of Business Wally Easton Date Submitted: June 15, 2020 to Board Background In order to meet the Board’s temporary financing needs, annually the Board of Trustees is requested to pass two borrowing resolutions for the forthcoming fiscal school year. One resolution is for operational financing needs and the other for capital requirements. The borrowing rates and expectations are detailed in the resolution.
The first resolution is to meet obligations with respect to current operations. Given we have an accumulated surplus it is unlikely that the board will require an operating line of credit but it is best to keep it in place. There is no costs to the board except when monies are borrowed.
The second resolution is to meet obligations with respect to capital needs. This has also been kept in place although the board has not required these funds recently. However, given that the board has two major capital projects it may be necessary to finance some of the costs pending receipt of grants from the Ministry.
Recommendation That the Board of Trustees for the Near North District School Board pass and approve the Borrowing Resolutions for the fiscal year 2021- 202 as presented on June 15, 2021.
E-FORM 345 (10/2011)
ONTARIO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS INCLUDING SEPARATE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS RESOLUTION RE BORROWING FOR CURRENT EXPENDITURES AND DEBT CHARGES
WHEREAS the Near North District School Board in the Province of Ontario (herein called "the Board") deems it necessary to borrow the sum of $ 20,000,000.00 Dollars to meet the current expenditures and debt charges payable in the fiscal year of the Board until the current revenue and cash respectively have been received (as respectively defined in Sub-section (1) of Section 1 of the Education Act);
AND WHEREAS the amount authorized to be borrowed by this resolution in respect of current expenditures and debt charges together with the total of any similar borrowings heretofore made by the Board under Section 243 of the Education Act that have not been repaid and any accrued interest thereon does not exceed the unreceived balance of the estimated current revenues of the Board (exclusive of revenue from education development charges) and the authorized amounts to be borrowed from time to time hereunder shall not exceed the maximum sum referred to above.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT:
1. For the purposes aforesaid the Board borrow from ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (herein called "the Bank") the sum of $ 20,000,000.00 dollars by way of a loan agreement or promissory note(s) payable not later than 08/31/2022 and bearing interest at the rate of Royal Bank Prime less 0.75% or Banker's Acceptance plus 0.80% per annum, as well after as before maturity, default and judgement, with interest on overdue interest at the same rate as the principal;
2. The Treasurer together with the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Board be and they are hereby authorized and empowered for and on behalf of the Board to sign such loan agreement or promissory note(s) as may be necessary and to affix thereto the Board’s seal;
3. The Treasurer of the Board be and is hereby authorized and directed to apply in payment of all or any sums borrowed as aforesaid, together with interest thereon, all or any of the current revenues of the Board collected or received by the Board and all or any other moneys that may lawfully be applied under the Education Act and the regulations made thereunder for such purpose;
4. The Treasurer of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to furnish to the Bank at the time any amount is borrowed under this resolution in respect of current expenditures a statement showing the amount of the estimated current revenues of the Board (exclusive of revenue from education development charges) for the current year not yet received, or, where the estimates for the current year have not been adopted, a statement showing the estimated revenues of the Board as set forth in the estimates adopted for the previous fiscal year and the amount of the revenues of the current year already received and also showing the total of any amounts borrowed under Section 243 of the Education Act in the current year that have not been repaid; and
5. The Bank shall not be bound to establish the necessity of the borrowings authorized by this resolution or their application for the purposes aforesaid and may rely on a certified copy of this resolution as proof that the borrowings are validly authorized and on any statement furnished by the Treasurer under paragraph 4 of this resolution as proof of the facts stated therein.
We hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of a resolution of the above mentioned Board duly passed at a meeting therefore duly convened and held at North Bay on the 15th day, June, 2021; and that the said resolution is in full force and effect, unamended.
Page 1 of 2 E-FORM 345 (10/2011)
As witness the seal of the Board this 15th day of June, 2021.
(SEAL)
Head of Board
Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer)
® Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Page 2 of 2 E-FORM 345 (10/2011)
ONTARIO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS INCLUDING SEPARATE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS RESOLUTION RE BORROWING FOR CURRENT EXPENDITURES AND DEBT CHARGES AND TEMPORARY FINANCING
WHEREAS the Near North District School Board in the Province of Ontario (herein called "the Board") deems it necessary to borrow the sum of $ 20,000,000.00 Dollars to meet the current expenditures and debt charges payable in the fiscal year of the Board until the current revenue and cash respectively have been received (as respectively defined in Sub-section (1) of Section 1 of the Education Act) and for the sums the Board considers necessary to meet the temporary borrowing requirements in respect of permanent improvements to be temporarily financed ("Temporary Financing") on a short term basis by way of a loan with a maturity of less than one year;
AND WHEREAS the amount authorized to be borrowed by this resolution in respect of current expenditures and debt charges together with the total of any similar borrowings heretofore made by the Board under Section 243 of the Education Act that have not been repaid and any accrued interest thereon does not exceed the unreceived balance of the estimated current revenues of the Board (exclusive of revenue from education development charges) and the total amount authorized to be borrowed pursuant to this resolution in respect of Temporary Financing in respect of any permanent improvement does not exceed the amount authorized to be long-term financed in respect of the relevant permanent improvement by way of a loan with an initial maturity of more than one year and the aggregate amount of the authorized amounts to be borrowed from time to time hereunder shall not exceed the maximum sum referred to above.
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT:
1. For the purposes aforesaid the Board borrow from ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (herein called "the Bank") the sum of $ 20,000,000.00 dollars by way of a loan agreement or promissory note(s) payable not later than 08/31/2022 and bearing interest at the rate of Royal Bank Prime less 0.75% or Banker's Acceptances plus 0.75% per annum, as well after as before maturity, default and judgement, with interest on overdue interest at the same rate as the principal;
2. The Treasurer together with the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Board be and they are hereby authorized and empowered for and on behalf of the Board to sign such loan agreement or promissory note(s) as may be necessary and to affix thereto the Board’s seal;
3. The Treasurer of the Board be and is hereby authorized and directed to apply in payment of all or any sums borrowed as aforesaid, together with interest thereon, all or any of the current revenues of the Board collected or received by the Board and all or any other moneys that may lawfully be applied under the Education Act and the regulations made thereunder for such purpose;
4. The Treasurer of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to furnish to the Bank at the time any amount is borrowed under this resolution in respect of current expenditures a statement showing the amount of the estimated current revenues of the Board (exclusive of revenue from education development charges) for the current year not yet received, or, where the estimates for the current year have not been adopted, a statement showing the estimated revenues of the Board as set forth in the estimates adopted for the previous fiscal year and the amount of the revenues of the current year already received and also showing the total of any amounts borrowed under Section 243 of the Education Act in the current year that have not been repaid;
4a. The Treasurer of the Board is authorized and directed to furnish to the Bank at the time any amount is borrowed under this resolution in respect of Temporary Financing a statement showing the amount to be borrowed in respect of the relevant permanent improvements and confirming that the amount to be borrowed together with amounts previously borrowed in respect of such permanent improvements and not repaid does not exceed the amount authorized to be long-term financed in respect of such permanent improvements by way of a loan with an initial maturity of more than one year; and
5. The Bank shall not be bound to establish the necessity of the borrowings authorized by this resolution or their application for the purposes aforesaid and may rely on a certified copy of this resolution as proof that the borrowings are validly authorized and on any statement furnished by the Treasurer under paragraph 4 and subparagraph 4a of this resolution as proof of the facts stated therein.
We hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of a resolution of the above mentioned Board duly passed at a meeting therefore duly convened and held at North Bay, Ontario on the 15th day, June, 2021; and that the said resolution is in full force and effect, unamended.
Page 1 of 2 E-FORM 345 (10/2011)
As witness the seal of the Board this 15th day of June, 2021.
(SEAL)
Head of Board
Treasurer (or Secretary-Treasurer)
® Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Page 2 of 2
P.O. Box 3110, 963 Airport Road North Bay, ON P1B 8H1 705.472.8170, Fax: 705.472.9927
Jay Aspin, Chair Craig Myles, Director of Education
Multi-Year Strategic Plan Committee Thursday, May 13, 2021 Head Office of the Near North District School Board 963 Airport Road, North Bay, ON
Committee Members Present Staff Present Bill Steer, Committee Chair Krista Messenger, Executive Assistant Craig Myles, Director of Education Liana Blaskievich, Officer Corporate Affairs
Absent Rob Learn, Trustee Jay Aspin, Board Chair
1.0 Call to Order
Committee Chair Steer called the meeting to order at 9:31 AM. Attendance was called to note the meeting does not have quorum and will go forward for discussion/ information sharing.
1.1 Adoption of the Agenda Review of the agenda contained in the meeting package. No amendments to note. Agenda was accepted as presented.
2.0 Approval of Minutes
2.1 MYSP Committee minutes- April 13, 2021 Review of the minutes contained in the agenda package. Floor opened for comments or amendments, with none rose.
2.2 Ad Hoc MYSP Committee minutes- April 19, 2021 Review of the minutes contained in the agenda package. Floor opened for comments or amendments, with none rose.
3.0 New Business
3.1 Verbal Update Chair Steer invited the Officer of Corporate Affairs, L. Blaskievich, to speak to this item. A verbal report was provided, noting the following highlights:
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• Committee members referred to the detailed survey results and attendance information data shared as part of the agenda package. • Six regional virtual information sessions have been completed. The survey on the website has been closed. A recorded version of the presentation has been placed on the NNDSB website. • Per email correspondence, trustees will be presented with the highlights of the survey results at the May Board of Trustees meeting. Overall, many positive comments were noted, and the information is a valuable perspective to incorporate into the MYSP. o Committee Chair Steer noted he was pleased to see how highly rated the “Excellence in Teaching and Learning” priority was by survey respondents, as this is the core purpose of the board. • Director noted he would be pleased to present broad strokes regarding the data trends for the trustees. Will reference the main focus outcomes, and suggestions on how to improve. Board strokes are intended to support anecdotal testimonies. • Draft MYSP is nearly ready! Director is reviewing for final details before it is shared with the Committee for final review.
Committee Chair Steer paused for questions, with none rose.
Committee Chair Steer noted he would like community partners to receive a follow-up email on how to access the recorded presentation. Comment from the Director to note he is looking into how the MYSP presentation can be added to an internal training platform to ensure all staff review the presentation, with tracked attendance.
Discussion regarding what remains to be accomplished in the MYSP process. L. Blaskievich noted the BIPSAWB is coming along. The document is nearly ready for review, as the senior team is working to finetune. Confirmation that we remain on track for presentation at the June Board meeting, and September implementation.
Director noted that Committee Chair Steer can share this will remain a living document that will be refined based on community and government priorities (example regarding the ministry memo on adding layers to the “BIPSAWB” to shift to a “BIPSAE” to add a focus on equity). Committee Chair Steer acknowledged the board’s gains in communications. Suggestion raised to tie in all communications into a MYSP priority to act as a continued reinforcement of the Plan’s importance.
3.2 Review of Board Report Committee Chair Steer referred committee members to the board report included in the agenda package. Review of the report to confirm it includes the relevant updates to bring forward to the Board for approval. The Director noted this report represents the progress achieved this month. An updated roadmap is included showing how this project remains on track.
Discussion regarding how the MYSP Report will be structured during the May Board of Trustees meeting. Committee Chair Steer noted he would begin the report and turn to Board Chair Aspin for comments. The Director will be invited to speak to the next steps for the MYSP process. L. Blaskievich can provide highlights regarding survey themes.
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4.0 Next Meeting Date
The next meeting date of the Multi-Year Strategic Planning Committee for regular business was confirmed for Thursday, June 10, 2021.
5.0 Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, on May 13, 2021 the Multi-Year Strategic Plan Committee stands adjourned at 9:56 AM. Minutes: WS/km.
3 | P a g e MYSP Executive Summary The 2021-2026 strategic plan is the result of more than 16 months of consultation and planning in which our communities contributed their voices to identify key priorities for Near North District School Board.
Nanos Research, Ramsay Partners Inc. and Ministry Special Advisors Wayne Joudrie and Wally Easton engaged with the public in multiple modes to garner public opinion. This input, combined with Board and industry data, helped us to develop goals that align with the four strategic priorities of the plan.
The board was then launched into months of collaborative planning that resulted in the creation of new ways to plan and align all goals to the same trajectory of student achievement and wellbeing. The process began with the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-Being (BIPSAWB)that focused on 3 key objectives, literacy, numeracy, and student achievement and well-being. Plans were carefully aligned to the Multi-Year Strategic Plan. This process led to the design of aligned school and board improvement planning modes that allow for ongoing monitoring and assessment of achievement in reaching our core purpose of student achievement and well-being.
Next Steps The work toward the achievement of key goals has just begun. The MYSP will be reviewed by all staff who will delve further into achievement planning that aligns with the key priorities in an official launch to staff in August and September. Alignment to key goals and priorities will be assessed on an ongoing basis.
“The MYSP is a Living Document” It is important to note that while the board improvement plan for student achievement and well-being will guide schools and facilitate an understanding of common objectives, it must also be responsive to emerging school-based learning needs and trends in the school and board-wide data, together with priorities set by the Ministry of Education. Thus, the BIPSAWB must be a living document that is subject to adjustment based on the triangulation of data in the interest of success for all. In other words, it is important for the Board to be responsive to the needs of the schools and adjust the BIPSAWB to better fit emerging needs and trends. Adjustments to the BIPSAWB may result in adjustments to the 5 Year Strategic plan All plans will evolve over the next five years but will align to the strategic priorities as stated in the Near North District School Board 2021-2026 Multi-Year Strategic plan. We look forward to a future of “SUCCESS FOR ALL”.
In the Document
Page 6-10 The document provides the major themes that arose from the research and includes the actions that are being taken to ensure that public confidence in NNDSB is achieved and sustained. We have seen over the past 16 months that public confidence is very much on the rise as the majority of stakeholders agree that we are on the right track.
Page 11 Vision Mission and Value Statements reflect a Board that is forward thinking and desirous of an equitable culture of teaching and learning where staff, students and their families/caregivers and community stakeholders thrive.
Page 12-14 The Four Priorities and the goals to meet Priorities are summarized: • excellence in teaching and learning ● excellence in building relationships • excellence in communication ● excellence in innovation
Page 15 -17 The general goals and strategies are indicated, and the Board objectives are categorized
Page 18-19 The integrated approach to the strategic plan is demonstrated
Page 23 Summarized BIPSAWB Goals and strategies followed by SIPSAWB and DIPSAWB planning and alignment template samples.
Thank you to our Trustees and our communities for your guidance, input and leadership.
NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
NNDSB Strategic Plan
2021 - 2026
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
NEAR NORTH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Near North District School Board (NNDSB) is responsible for the public education of approximately 10,000 learners from across the geographic regions of The Almaguin Highlands, North Bay, Mattawa, West Nipissing and Parry Sound. The Board serves a wide variety of communities within a 17,020 square km area and operates twenty-eight elementary schools, seven secondary schools, and a variety of alternative and continuing education programs and services.
Biindigen
Mii gwi Anishinabek wewena nkenmaaminak dependajig maa kiing. "We acknowledge in a good way, the original people of the land here"
We value the cultures, histories and relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America)
We seek to build student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect and to Identify teacher-training needs relating to the above.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, 2015
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
A Message from the Director of Education and the Chair of the Board
In the Near North District School Board, we believe in the power of public education to improve the lives of students, make our communities stronger and the future brighter.
In January 2020 NNDSB launched a progressive and collaborative strategic planning process to engage students, staff, families and our surrounding educational communities through both face-to-face and virtual platforms. We consulted with students, staff, families and community partners about the most important areas upon which to focus to empower all learners through the provision of a thriving and inclusive culture of student achievement and well-being and to prepare all students for future success.
The 2021-2026 strategic plan is the result of many months of consultation and planning in which our communities contributed their voices to identify key priorities for Near North District School Board. NNDSB engaged Nanos Research and Ramsay Partners Inc. to help us to understand where we could change our practice to earn a high degree of public confidence. We hosted online surveys and focus group collaborations for students, parents, community members and staff, who shared their thinking about the future direction of the NNDSB. The response was overwhelming and impressive, and for that we thank you. This input, combined with Board and industry data, helped us to develop goals that align with the four strategic priorities of the plan. Our plan is exciting and bold and provides clear direction to our NNDSB learning community.
Thank you to our communities for your guidance, input and leadership.
The 2021-2026 strategic plan guides our processes and the decisions that we make, including how we align resources to support our core purpose; Student Achievement and Well-being.
We appreciate everyone’s participation in this important process and are very pleased to share our 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.
Jay Aspin Craig Myles Chair of the Board Director of Education
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Background Before embarking upon the development of the new Multi Year Strategic Plan, it was important to hear from our stakeholders. We looked to various experts to gather information that would support us in understanding areas for improvement, and opportunities for positive change. You can see in the image above, the variety of stakeholders interviewed to gather a 360-degree view of the organization.
At the request of the Board in September 2019, Special Advisors Wayne Joudrie and Wally Easton provided a report to the Minister of Education with their observations and recommendations about how Near North District School Board could improve its governance, leadership, human resources practices and financial accountability. NNDSB has framed much of the organizational work and the goals of the Multi Year Strategic Plan on the recommendations of the Ministry advisors and on the earlier Ombudsman and Wilson reports.
On behalf of Near North District School Board (NNDSB), Nanos Research then conducted one- on-one interviews with stakeholders between April 6 and June 3, 2020. Stakeholders included those in the education sector, social services, health and children’s services, unions, government (federal/provincial and local) and Indigenous partners.
Ramsay Partners Inc. was then retained to further the perspective. Michael Ramsay has consulted with a variety of school boards across the province. Ramsay partners began their consultative work by engaging in staff interviews to understand the culture of the board through staff voice and opinion. Ramsay Partners then led several focus groups to gather stakeholder opinion about the importance of future trends in education, which helped to frame thinking in the development of the Multi Year Strategic Plan.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Common Themes in the Data
Excellence in Teaching and Learning
▪ Stakeholders rank excellence in teaching and in the learning environment as the most important priority for the NNDSB. ▪ Stakeholders also indicated that this is the area in which they have the most confidence. Nanos Research ▪ Participants reinforced appreciation for all the extraordinary efforts provided by staff in their schools. Joudrie and Easton
Research shows that you believe in what we do for your children and your community. You can see by the data above stakeholders agreed to a level of excellence in teaching and learning. We are proud of our students and work hard to make sure that their success and well-being are the core purpose of NNDSB.
We continue to strive for excellence in the provision of innovative and equity driven programing. Key goals in teaching and learning in the 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan are built upon strategic plans in every school for the foundations of literacy, numeracy, equity and well-being. The strategic priority of Excellence in Teaching and Learning sets the goal to deliver a superior educational experience for all students; providing educational pathways that promote student choice and meet all learner requirements; trades, employability, post-secondary education and life skills. It takes many staff, working as a team to ensure that schools are safe and welcoming for your children. NNDSB promises to ensure that educators receive the support they need to be confident in their practice and responsive to all students’ unique strengths and needs. We will continue to provide professional development for all staff aligned with current Ministry best practice.
A Desire for Transparent Communication
▪ Stakeholders want NNDSB to make transparent decisions and provide sufficient information to the public. Nanos Research
▪ Participants identified communication as a significant area for improvement within the NNDSB. Joudrie and Easton
The Board will continue to provide transparent communication about the decisions that are being made on the journey to achieving excellence in everything that we do. The priority of Excellence in
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Communication in the 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan demonstrates that Near North District School Board is committed to promoting public confidence and community support in public education. Effective communication provides opportunities to share accurate and reliable information and clarity of goals as we seek to attain the vision, mission and priorities that build stronger relationships.
NNDSB has implemented formal proceedings following a strict schedule for the planning and conducting of Board meetings. Formal agendas guided by parliamentary procedure have been implemented. All public meeting minutes/agendas are posted in a prominent, accessible location for stakeholders one calendar day before the meeting. Committee of the Whole agendas are released in the same manner as the Board agenda. Board minutes are posted to the website once approved by the Board. Reports are archived for at least one year after the meeting date.
The NNDSB website is now the touchpoint for all important communication. If you have not yet explored the website, please take a few moments to do so. The site is “one stop shopping” from important Ministry announcements and emerging news to the MYSP, specialized programs, equity and inclusion, NNDSB in the news, the new online registration and more.
We continue to build public trust by sharing the amazing learning and level of care that is provided by all staff on the main site and through various social media platforms. NNDSB will continue to provide transparent communication about relevant decisions that are being made to achieve excellence in everything that we do.
Relationships: Community Partnerships
▪ Stakeholders want to know more about our outreach to stakeholders and partners Nanos Research
NNDSB continues to collaborate with community partners across a wide range of service mandates to support our students and their families. These initiatives include but are certainly not limited to: participation on the Network Advisory Council for Muskoka, Nipissing, and Parry Sound, where we proudly sit alongside Hands the Family Help Network, One Kids Place Children’s Treatment Centre, the Nipissing Parry Sound Children’s Aid Society, and fellow coterminous boards to support coordinated service planning.
NNDSB participates in the Nipissing Parry Sound Child and Family Network, which just celebrated the development of childcare spaces at the Dr. MacDougall Hub in North Bay for Indigenous childcare and family programs, as well as at Miigwansag Child Care Centre at the “Sound Community Hub “in Parry Sound.
NNDSB values ongoing relationships with agencies such as: The District of Nipissing and District of Parry Sound Social Administration Boards, Nipissing First Nation, Mattawa Metis Council, the North Bay Military Family Resource Centre, the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario, and Simcoe Muskoka regions. NNDSB continues to work with community partners to ensure that before and after school programs run at all schools in the Near North District School Board.
Further community partnerships include but are not limited to: YES Employment, The Canadian Ecology Centre and the Georgian Bay Biosphere, Blue Sky Network, Canadore College, Nipissing University, Regional Chambers of Commerce, the Cities of North Bay, Parry Sound, Sturgeon Falls and Mattawa and hundreds of employers who support OYAP, Coop and SHSM students by providing meaningful learning opportunities.
We thank all our community partners and recognize that we did not mention all of them here. 8
NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Leadership and Board Office Staffing
▪ Participants identified that the Board seemed top heavy with senior administrators and that communications and alignment of portfolios appeared to be lacking. Joudrie and Easton
▪ Examination of organizational metrics indicates that the NNDSB is operating at the extreme bottom level of organizational staffing. The Board is not staffed to meet business management requirements; resources are stretched thin and are able to only address core transactional functions. Michael Ramsay
Following recommendations of the special advisors and under the guidance of Ramsay Partners Inc, NNDSB has undertaken a comprehensive organizational study in order to improve our practice and to clear up the perception that NNDSB is a top-heavy organization.
Efficiencies have been found at the executive level and the number of superintendents was decreased from six to four and associated steps deployed. It is important to note that NNDSB is aware that as a result of these changes, the complexity of the superintendent role has increased. This resulted in a restructuring whereby superintendents and therefore schools are supported by system principals who are responsible for the daily implementation and monitoring of portfolio work that benefits the system.
It is clear that NNDSB has suffered under the myth of being a top-heavy organization to the point that we were critically understaffed in areas that support the well-being of all staff. Following the advice of the special advisors and the counsel of Ramsay Partners Inc, we are creating shifts in staffing and in the hiring of staff to support effective practice that ultimately makes us better.
Safety and Well-being
▪ Participants acknowledged the efforts within schools but felt that more resources are required. Nanos Research
We heard you! All schools have been encouraged to build a strategic plan for equity, safety and well-being, and with COVID-19 restrictions, increased mental wellness supports are in place. Aligned with the new Multi Year plan, it is the expectation for all schools to have a strategic plan as they build their School Improvement Plans for Safety and Well-being (SIPSAWB)
Teams are hard at work building resources for staff and parents. In November 2020, the launch of the Safer Schools Reporting Tool kicked off a week of intensive learning for staff, students and community. These initiatives are part of a full well-being plan which provides well-being initiatives such as Thrive in a Hive, Zones of Regulation training, anti-bullying, anti-racism, and the weaving of cultural learning throughout the curriculum.
Capacity building for staff and learning for students is ongoing. The intent is to build a sustainable culture of equity, well-being and safety for all.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
You told us…
We are on the Right Track
• Stakeholders are more likely to think NNDSB is heading in the right direction rather than the wrong direction. Nanos Research
• Stakeholders identified a high degree of confidence in the board direction and in particular, the new Director. Ramsay Partners
NNDSB is working to make every stakeholder feel certain that we are on the right track. Increased communication about our commitment to excellence is a priority within the Multi Year Strategic Plan, which is the result of many months of consultation and planning and consideration of extensive scientifically acquired data in which our communities contributed their voices to identify key priorities for the NNDSB.
Community voices and partnerships are important to us in providing innovative, equitable and progressive learning to meet the strengths and needs of our students.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Vision We strive to ensure all members of our educational community contribute to a thriving and inclusive culture of student achievement and well-being.
Mission To provide opportunities that empower all learners to develop their potential by providing diverse pathways which lead students to become model citizens who achieve life goals and contribute to the betterment of society.
We value respectful and welcoming teaching and learning Values environments that support diverse learning needs and promote achievement and well-being for all.
• •We value the teachings and principles of Indigenous
c ultures
• We value equity in our diverse educational community and are accountable to the success and well-being of all.
• We value community partnerships that support us.
• We value your confidence in us and strive to maintain it through the delivery of
excellent educational opportunities for all.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Priorities The four overarching priorities are established based upon research obtained through stakeholder consultation and a rigorous collaborative process. Trustees and board executive examined historical practice and future trends. The priorities were set with a view toward innovative and engaging education that provides equitable opportunities for success for all.
Excellence in Teaching and Learning Excellence in Deliver a superior educational experience for all students. Providing educational pathways that promote student Teaching and choice and meet all learner requirements (trades, Learning employability, post-secondary education and life skills)
Deliver a superior educational experience for all students. Providing educational pathways that promote student choice and meet all learner requirements (trades, employability, post-secondary education and life skills).
Goals: Provide an equitable and inclusive environment that champions learning opportunities for all.
Create and sustain a dynamic culture that provides a relevant and engaging learning environment that inspires excellence in everyone.
Create opportunities for equitable access to programs and services for students.
Programs and services embrace the culture and diversity of students and all partners.
More students demonstrate growth and achieve student learning outcomes with a specific focus on numeracy and literacy.
Staff will demonstrate excellence in instructional practices and understanding of 21st century competencies: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation.
Ensure Trustees and staff are supported with progressive human resource and professional development programs.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Excellence in Innovation Excellence in We engage in innovative future-oriented learning experiences that promote excellence in student Innovation achievement and well-being.
Engage in innovative future-oriented learning experiences that promote excellence in student achievement and well-being.
Goals: Build technological capability to meet the requirements of integrated learning solutions.
Promote the competencies students need to succeed now and in the future: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation.
Optimize learning, including the use of technological innovations and experiential learning opportunities to deepen and transform learning.
Align resources and initiatives to promote learning that meets future trends in education.
Excellence in Relationships Excellence in We build positive relationships with all members of our education community to foster an engaged and inclusive Relationships board culture. Together, we model our stated values, we practice acknowledgement of others and we continuously meet student needs.
Build positive relationships with all members of our education community to foster an engaged and inclusive board culture. Together, we model our stated values, we practice acknowledgement of others, and we continuously meet student needs. There is a definite relationship between a culture of caring and student achievement and well-being. Creating a culture of caring also involves a celebration of our successes.
Goals:
Students, families and staff are welcomed, respected and valued as partners.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Proactively engage with our staff and parent communities to provide a culture and supportive learning environment that promotes student agency for their education, learning and well-being.
Promote and build connections to foster mutually respectful communication among students, families, staff, and the broader community.
A culture of caring is achieved through a dedication to knowing, honouring and supporting students and their families, staff and members of our community.
Enhance the safety and well-being of students and staff.
Create opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. Students and all partners feel heard, valued and supported.
Excellence in Communication Excellence in The Near North District School Board is committed to promoting public confidence and community support in public education. Communication Effective communication provides opportunities to share accurate and reliable information and clarity of goals as we
seek to attain the vision, mission and priorities that build stronger relationships.
Near North District School Board is committed to promoting public confidence and community support in public education. Effective communication provides opportunities to share accurate and reliable information and clarity of goals as we seek to attain the vision, mission and priorities that build stronger relationships. Excellence in communication practices throughout our organization are vital to the success of achieving our Mission.
We are committed to promoting public confidence and community support in public education through timely, accurate, effective, and transparent communication of Board initiatives, vision and goals.
Provide opportunities for community partners to share information and ideas that build stronger community relationships.
We are committed to communication in various modes to ensure all NNDSB communities are aware of emerging events.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Strategies
01 02 03 04 05
POSITIVE CULTURE PATHWAYS PARTNERSHIPS INTEGRATED LEARNING PERFORMANCE-BASED SOLUTIONS
Proactively engage with our Deliver a superior educational Work in partnership with Build the technological and Build a performance-based staff, student, parent and experience for all students. municipalities and experiential capability to culture capable of taking partner communities to Provide educational pathways community agencies to meet the requirements of advantage of and creating provide a culture and that promote student choice deliver the full portfolio of integrated learning solutions. opportunities for growth and supportive learning and meet all learning classroom or virtual development toward Ministry environment that promotes pathways (trades, programs to all (rural, urban, standards in achievement student agency for their employment, post-secondary diverse communities). and business operation. education, learning and well- education and life skills). being.
The strategies listed here provide a summary view into the actions that were important to the Trustees and executive staff when establishing how the overarching priorities would be met. They address the concerns of our stakeholders and help us to reach the intent in our core purpose of student achievement and well-being.
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Objectives Summary NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
The following determines the objectives as established by the Trustees and executive council in the MYSP consultation process. The objectives as summarized here will be operationalized through extensive planning and the establishment of departmental goals and department, school and board improvement plans for Student Achievement and Well-being aligned to the MYSP vision.
Objective
1. Ensure that NNDSB can reach all students with a full suite or portfolio of programs.
2. Redesign learning programs to take advantage of technological capabilities and building our capacity for student ownership.
3. Grow capacity in staff to deliver high-quality, evidence-based assessment and
instruction. Academic
4. To represent and serve all our communities equitably. NNDSB is to become a place to thrive no matter who or where you are.
5. Build the reputation and improve the relationships of NNDSB with important stakeholder groups.
6. Develop and maintain strong improved partnerships and collaborative relationships with education providers and community partners. Work together for a common purpose and mutual benefit.
7. Design a decision-making process that continues and/or expands opportunities for consultation and conversation with important communities about decisions that affect
them. Communities
8. Build business (payroll, facilities, HR, IT, teaching and learning) processes that are efficient, effective and supportive of key objectives.
9. Invest in technology to achieve efficiencies in operations, streamline tasks, remove redundancies in operations that create obstacles inefficiencies.
10. Improve staff understanding of the role, function and values of all functions, processes
and system-wide coordinating processes/mechanisms.
11. Build efficient and effective budget planning/monitoring driven by student achievement and well-being goals.
Processes
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Objective
12. Build an effective and efficient organizational structure
13. Build a performance organization culture characterized by accountability collaboration, teamwork and knowledge sharing.
14. Build organizational capacity across the system to execute the MYSP teaching and learning objectives. Eliminate key person dependencies and exposure of the organization to unexpected departures through cross-training and comprehensive and intuitive succession planning.
15. Become a data-driven, strategically managed organization. Organization
16. Ensure that the NNDSB is managed efficiently and is financially sustainable year over year and for the long term. Make decisions that are sustainable.
17. Ensure that NNDSB spending, and resources are aligned to the MYSP. Align revenue, spending, and resource allocation to MYSP priorities and directions and ultimately student achievement.
18. Ensure that NNDSB meets ministry expectations / requirements for financial stewardship and accountability.
19. Increase budget holder accountability for spending and variance
20. Manage surplus accounts strategically. (Learn to use our surplus and reserve dollars wisely.)Plan ahead for change based on future trends. Accumulate or spend according to plan.
21. Generate growth revenue from ancillary (non-traditional) sources.
22. Increase the visibility of financial performance to communities/stakeholders through
transparent, accurate and timely communication. Financial
Department, school and board planning is ongoing and must be flexible to meet emerging needs of the system and the objectives as laid out by Ministry communications in regard to business operations. While there is a slight distance between the business of the board and teaching and learning, there should always be a direct line of sight to the target of student achievement and well-being at the core of every operational decision. We are, after all, in the business of teaching and learning thus the four priorities of the MYSP apply to business practice. Staff may travel different paths, but all paths lead to the same destination as articulated in the Multi Year Strategic Plan.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Multi Year Strategic Plan (MYSP): An Integrated Approach .
Depicting alignment of the Multi Year Strategic Plan/ Board, School and Department Improvement Plans for Student Achievement and Well-being
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Explaining The Graphic
MYSP Planning, Implementation and Monitoring
is a dynamic, organic process where all the components - board, department, and school teams set goals and actions that align to the priorities of the plan. These entities: ▪ Constantly evolve and assess their results to assure alignment toward the four MYSP priorities. ▪ Assure every action plan has a direct line of sight toward Student Achievement and Well- being ▪ Fulfill the vision, mission and values of the MYSP.
NNDSB ensures that the work of every action plan has a direct line of sight to the highest inte ntions of the organization, All NNDSB goals should link to the vision, mission and values of the Multi Year Strategic Plan.
The Circles of Excellence:
The Outer Circle represents the four priorities established by the Board of Trustees, the Director of Education and the senior executive team – Excellence in Communications, Excellence in Innovation, Excellence in Relationships, Excellent in Teaching and Learning. It emphasizes the priorities of the 2021-26 Multi Year Strategic Plan. The Director and Trustees set ambitious priorities and empower the board staff to implement the plans that support and enrich those priorities toward the core purpose of Student Achievement and Well-being (at the vortex). Each of these priorities is
supported by a comprehensive plan for staff.
The Grey Circle
represents board practices which involve structural /business practices that support all staff. The Director and senior executive team set ambitious goals and design metrics for their progress. Goals are established for effective board practice, structure, culture, philosophies and innovation in key areas of HR, IT, finance, communications, community partnerships, teaching and learning.
The Inner Circle represents relevant staff and their contributions that more directly support student achievement and well-being. BIPSAWB, SIPSAWB & DIPSAWB are acronyms denoting Board, School, and Department Improvement Plans for Student Achievement and Well-Being. Senior leadership, principals, vice principals, managers and other staff develop and implement board plans (BIPSAWB), school plans (SIPSAWB) and department plans (DIPSAWB) to engage professional practices that move the board toward set goals in Student Achievement and Well- being .
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-being
PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT EQUITY AND WELL-BEING:ENABLE ALL LITERACY IN NUMERACY STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL • Build capacity and collective efficacy in school • Build capacity and collective efficacy in • Develop capacity in school teams to create the teams to identify precise literacy goals that school teams to identify precise mathematics conditions that allow all students to feel acknowledge both leading and lagging student goals that acknowledge both leading and respected and successful, personally and achievement and well-being indicators. lagging student achievement and well-being academically, regardless of background, • Improve student literacy achievement with a indicators. mental health, identity or personal specific focus on the core literacy skills in • Improve student achievement in circumstances. service of reading and writing. mathematics with a specific focus on • Align instruction, assessment, evaluation and • Deepen teacher understanding of high impact fundamental math skills. reporting policies and practices with the teaching practices to refine instruction to • Increase confidence in teaching new principles of equity and inclusive education to improve “core literacy skills” and achievement curriculum content, using high-impact meet the diverse needs of all students and their across the curriculum. instruction and assessment strategies. families. • Deliver precise, personalized and differentiated • Implement equitable and culturally relevant • Build awareness for parents about what/how literacy learning opportunities for students, and responsive pedagogy in math. their children are learning in school – (Universal Design for Learning). • Deliver precise, personalized and increasing student, family and community • Support effective collection and use of differentiated math learning opportunities engagement. assessment data to inform responsive for students, (Universal Design for • Implement wrap-around supports to ensure instruction and intervention practices. Learning). every student has the opportunity to succeed • Support effective collection and use of personally and academically. assessment data to inform responsive • Improve access to learning and support instruction and intervention practices. services, including virtual care and innovative K-12 programming, through enhanced infrastructure and broad access to technology.
ACTIONS: What are the strategic actions we will take to meet these goals?
• Implement School Improvement Planning • Implement School Improvement Planning • Implement School Improvement Planning (SIP) tools and processes that allow school (SIP) tools and processes that allow school (SIP) tools and processes that allow school teams to identify strategic goals and measures teams to identify strategic goals and teams (and stakeholders) to identify strategic to improve literacy outcomes. measures to improve mathematics outcomes. goals and measures and effectively remove • Engage in iterative (6-week) cycles of • Engage in iterative (6-week) cycles of barriers to student achievement and well-being. planning, acting, monitoring, and responding planning, acting, monitoring, and responding • Develop a clear plan to ensure that to student learning needs. to student learning needs. demographic data is collected in regular • Develop educator capacity (including FSL, • Develop capacity to deliver equitable and intervals and supports the monitoring student ESL and NSL educators) to deliver culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy progress toward well-being, inclusion, and comprehensive literacy instruction and “tiered” in math, including differentiated support for equity targets. approaches to prevention and intervention, students with special education needs and • Increase educator capacity to deliver culturally including differentiated support for students students facing systemic barriers in their responsive instruction, assessment, and with special education needs and students math learning. evaluation in diverse, de-streamed, multi-level facing systemic barriers in their literacy • Invest in tools and resources for students, classrooms to create equitable outcomes. learning. parents, teachers, and leaders to advance • Develop capacity in school teams to promote • Invest in tools and resources for students, student learning and confidence in math. and implement mental health literacy, parents, teachers, and leaders to advance • Implement mathematics assessment tools, evidence-based universal and “Tier 1” SMHO student learning and confidence and support resources and practices that support preventive programming. staff in responding to diverse literacy learning classroom, school and system use of • Provide multiple and varied learning needs. evidence/data to inform planning, instruction opportunities, resources and supports to help • Implement literacy assessment tools, resources and intervention. parents and families stay informed and engage and practices that support classroom, school • All Grade 8 educators and those educators meaningfully in their child’s learning. and system use of evidence/data to inform who will be teaching Grade 9 de-streamed • Develop staff understanding and use of the planning, intentional instruction and targeted math will receive curriculum specific Safe Schools Framework with an emphasis on intervention. professional learning including teaching in citizenship and community; conflict resolution; • Establish baseline data and ongoing data multi-level classrooms. and bullying awareness and prevention. collection processes (or evidence) to inform • Develop educators’ ability to grow and • Develop targeted, transition plans (including individual student, class cohort, whole school assess students’ social emotional learning student profiles) for vulnerable and and system observations of growth. skills. underserved students. • Ensure that policies, guidelines and practices reflect a lens of equity and inclusion by upholding our shared obligation to promote human rights and mental health literacy.
The above is a concise summary of the NNDSB Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-being. Coming soon: View the full living document at www.nearnorthschools.ca 20
NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-being
PRIORITIES AND OBJECTIVES Improvement Planning: Guiding Questions Create equitable and inclusive learning environments that Improve Student Achievement in Literacy Improve Student Achievement in Numeracy enable all students to reach their full potential
Identify precise goals that utilize both By June 2022, By June 2022, By June 2022, Objectives: leading and lagging student achievement and well-being indicators
• Distinguish between tier one literacy instruction and tier two literacy • Address the key objectives of the math strategy • Consider what tools/resources/mindsets do educators require to deliver
S What are the prevention and intervention to ensure all students are supported in • Identify areas in which students need additional support and include culturally responsive instruction in multi-level classrooms
N • What do we have to learn and/or do literacy learning strategies to target these areas; • Determine an area of focus from Tier 1 School Mental Health O
I strategic
T differently to achieve our goals? • Identify areas in which students need additional support and determine • Outline how the school will be focusing on the fundamentals of math preventative programming C actions we • What educator questions or wonderings will • Describe the learning/training educators and school leaders will focus A how tier two prevention/intervention will occur in class and/or with • Determine what tool could be used to measure the cultural impact of will take to shape our learning? What will the educator resource/student success support on: Tier 1 preventions and how they contribute to the Safe Schools learning look & sound like? meet these • Outline how the school will focus on literacy capacity building with staff - High impact instructional strategies for math, Framework • What resources will we need to invest in? - Content knowledge on the fundamentals of math, • Reflect on assessment practices to determine if they reflect a lens of goals? Who can help us? - Support for students with special education needs in their equity and inclusion for all students mathematics learning • Implementation supports for the math curriculum
• How will we use iterative cycles to identify • Determine iterative cycles that will provide leading data for further • Determine iterative cycles that will provide leading data for further • Determine how student voice and choice are being gathered and strengths and gaps in achievement and refinement of instructional strategies refinement of instructional strategies reflected throughout the SIP, classrooms, and school environment well-being? • Grow professional capacity in meaningful ways through inquiry based • Grow professional capacity in meaningful ways through inquiry based • Consider the best method for students, parents, and staff to participate
• How can we make the objective meaningful S What are the and job-embedded learning and job-embedded learning in the creation of Student Profiles and meaningful transition planning T and relevant to our whole school, to all • • • U indicators for Responsive professional learning will reflect current student learning Responsive professional learning will reflect current student learning Refinement of Progressive Discipline strategies to ensure prevention P disciplines?
T needs, as identified by iterative cycles of data review needs, as identified by iterative cycles of data review and supports are the primary focus
U success?
• Who is monitoring? When? How? • Educators have access to relevant and meaningful assessment tools for • Educators have access to relevant and meaningful assessment tools • Address the inclusion of mental health literacy and Social Emotional O • What is being monitored? (leading and the continuous monitoring of student learning which enables strategy for the continuous monitoring of student learning which enables Learning programs in all classes and disciplines lagging data) selection and instruction refinement strategy selection and instruction refinement • What is our starting point (baseline)?
Include a plan to monitor progress and measure outcomes of students’ and Include a plan to monitor progress and measure outcomes of students’ Include a plan to monitor progress and measure outcomes of students’ and educators’ literacy learning: and educators’ math learning: educators’ equity, well-being and mental health learning: What are the performance • How will we know we have made an Consider cycles of monitoring, collaborative inquiry, moderated assessment, Consider cycles of monitoring, collaborative inquiry, moderated Consider cycles of monitoring, collaborative inquiry, moderated assessment, impact? etc. assessment, etc. etc. S measures • E How will we make meaning of this
M that will information? How does that help us
O respond to student needs? C demonstrate T • What are our successes? What needs still U our
O exist? improvement • What have we learned? What questions do ? we still have?
Above: The School Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-being (SIPSAWB) planning template above supports schools in their long term (5 year) and short term (1 year) goal setting in alignment with the four MYSP Priorities. 21
NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Department Planning and Alignment
Above: Departments engage in long term plans aligned to MYSP priorities Below: Departments engage in yearly focused planning. 22
NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
Department Collaboration
SAWB/MYSP Meetings Beginning in September 2021, with the launch of the 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan, Department leads, and managers will engage in regular Student Achievement and Well-being (SAWB)/ Multi Year Strategic Planning (MYSP)collaborative meetings to ensure that programs remain aligned and on track.
The above shows a collaborative template which will be introduced in September 2021 and used on an ongoing basis to plan, collaborate and monitor the progress toward meeting common goals focused on Student achievement, equity and well-being and aligned to the MYSP. SAWB/MYSP meetings will begin in September of 2021.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
A Living Document
The Multi Year Strategic Plan serves as a compass point which guides NNDSB toward the achievement of the four Strategic Priorities, excellence in teaching and learning, excellence in communication, excellence in relationships and excellence in innovation.
The What: Student achievement and well-being. The BIPSAWB goals have been set. The goals are collaboratively planned at the Board level (BIPSAWB) to guide and provide indicators of success for school-based planning (SIPSAWB) and department level planning (DIPSAWB). They state what we hope to achieve as we strive to reach the 4 Priorities in the MYSP.
Inclusion of the following foundational plans in board and school improvement planning, ensures a consistent focus on strategies that will support school and board staff in increased improvement in key foundational areas.
Strategic plans for literacy Strategic plans for numeracy Strategic plans for equity and well-being Use of iterative (6-week)cycles of teaching, assessment, and collaborative review Methodical gathering and meaningful assessment of data Reference to Growing Success and the School Effectiveness Framework as indicators of responsive and effective schools.
The How: How these goals are accomplished is determined in the individual school improvement plans for student achievement and well-being. How we reach our goals may be different in each school dependent on individual staff and student strength and learning needs and styles. To reach the four priorities, schools will engage in innovative ways to support student achievement and well-being that meet the unique needs of their schools based on the guidelines set by the BIPSAWB which states the common goals for all schools.
While the board improvement plan for student achievement and well-being will guide schools and facilitate an understanding of common objectives, it must also be responsive to emerging school- based learning needs and trends in the school and board-wide data. Thus, the BIPSAWB must be a living document that is subject to adjustment based on the triangulation of data in the interest of success for all. In other words, it is important for the Board to be responsive to the needs of the schools and adjust the BIPSAWB to better fit emerging needs and trends. The BIPSAWB summary on page 20 is subject to update as the board meets the needs of schools and their learners and communities. All plans will evolve over the next five years but will align to the strategic priorities as stated in the Near North District School Board 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic plan. We look forward to a future of “SUCCESS FOR ALL”.
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NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
25
NNDSB 2021-2026 Multi Year Strategic Plan
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Budget Report 2021-22
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2021-2022 BUDGET
The Near North District School Board (NNDSB) has always been financially responsible with a clear focus on providing the system with the resources and supports necessary to ensure that we inspire and support learning, create safe, healthy and engaging environments; and provide opportunities for all of our students. The budget presented for the 2021-2022 school year continues this approach, while providing contingencies that allow for adaptive learning models and increased safety and cleaning protocols. In 2021-2022, the Near North District School Board expects enrolment of 9,488.5 students which is an increase of 136 students from the current year. The Ministry of Education allocates funding to school boards using a model that is based on enrolment and the needs of students in each board. For 2021-2022, NNDSB expects to receive $145 million of operating grants from the province or 90% of its total operating revenue of $160.9 million. Expenditures are projected at $161.2 million resulting in a deficit of $417,000 or 0.3% of the total budget. Because of the COVID environment we are all living in, the Ministry has allowed school boards to access their prior years’ surpluses to offset deficits up to 1% of operating grants. The NNDSB is well within these guidelines established by the Ministry. The key objective of the budget development process is to align the allocation of resources with the strategic direction of the Board outlined in the Multi-Year Strategic Plan, identify school-based staffing requirements and identify budget challenges and opportunities. Updates on the budget development process were presented to the Finance Committee in April and May 2021. The 2021-2022 budget development process included challenges resulting from continued operation in a global pandemic, with required flexibility on return to the traditional school model and heightened safety and cleaning protocols. As a result, the budget includes contingency planning to provide the required flexibility to adapt to the current environment. The Board is planning to offer at-home learning for students that require it, but we anticipate most students will return to in-class learning in September. In addition to general operations, the province provides funding for capital projects. Next year the Board will receive approximately $6.4 million to upgrade school buildings. We will also receive funding from the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) approved by Infrastructure Canada and the Ministry of Education in the amount of $6.2 million to improve air quality at a number of the board’s schools. These projects will be completed over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. Other capital projects include the building of a new elementary school in North Bay to open in the fall of 2022 and a new JK to Grade 12 school in Parry Sound to open in the fall of 2023.
There is no question that there will continue to be fiscal challenges in the coming year requiring complex decisions, however, staff are confident that this budget allows staff to focus on the success of every student of the Near North District School Board.
Introduction
The Board has developed a Budget Procedures Manual for the 2021-2022 Budget that outlines an Action Plan and timelines, this document is meant to complement the Final Budget Report of 2021-2022. The 2021-22 operating budget was developed to align with the Near North District School Board’s (“NNDSB” or the “Board”) strategic plan to assign monetary resources to the realization of the Board’s mission.
Budget Highlights: 2021-2022 Funding Changes and Challenges
The Ministry is again funding the centrally negotiated employee collective agreement items such as a 1% increase to salaries, 1% increase to provincial Employee Life and Health Trust benefit plans for plan maintenance and inflation, system investments for hiring additional staff in specific employee groups as well as a 2% increase to the non-staff allocation within the School Operations Grant to manage increases in commodity costs (ie. utilities, facility insurance, etc.).
There is little else that has changed regarding the grants. Since the province is still making at home learning an option, at least for the start of school, there are some funds that will be available for managing COVID although most of this funding will be announced in the coming weeks through Priorities and Partnerships Funding (PPFs) which is outside of the GSNs. There are some changes to the GSNs as outlined below that do not involve additional new funding.
Other changes include:
1) LIBRARY STAFFING New this year, the ministry is introducing requirements to enhance reporting for library staff funding. This additional reporting is intended to provide the ministry with greater insight into how school boards are funding libraries and related supports. 2) SPECIAL EDUCATION Transfer After-School Skills Development Programs into the GSN. 3) DIFFERENTIATED FUNDING FOR ONLINE LEARNING The Supported Schools Allocation reflects updates to the secondary Pupil Foundation Grant staffing benchmarks to reflect differentiated funding for online learning. 4) STUDENT TECHNOLOGICAL DEVICES COMPONENT TOP-UP
As part of the realignment of supports for COVID-19 in 2021-22, in addition to the per pupil amount being integrated into the Pupil Foundation Grant, a top-up allocation is provided to ensure every school board receives a minimum of $50,000 for student technology-related costs. 5) LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES Transfer of Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) into the GSN.
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6) MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING As part of the realignment of supports for COVID-19 for the 2021–22 school year, the Ministry is integrating the $10 million for mental health supports into a new Supporting Student Mental Health Allocation. This continued funding is intended to foster the learning and well-being of students. School boards may use this funding for the following student mental health related purposes such as employing mental health professionals, providing professional learning for educators, collaborating with community providers, and the collection and analysis of mental health related information. 7) CONTINUING EDUCATION Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is now mandatory for all eligible adult learners (mature students). This new approach will better address the needs of adult learners in expeditiously achieving the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and efficiently moving them forward to more opportunities including sustainable employment, postsecondary education, and apprenticeship.
COVID-19 is still presenting budget challenges as the pandemic continues to have significant impacts on both revenues and expenditures. For these reasons the Ministry is providing the option for boards to access their operation surpluses from prior years to assist with the current budget . The maximum available is 2% of operating grants which totals approximately $2.9 million for NNDSB. However, the Ministry is requesting that we only use half of that or $1.45 million. The Ministry will make the rest available during the school year if necessary, based on the need to continue COVID restrictions.
Budget Overview
The 2021-22 Budget presented to Board shows a $417,194 deficit which is well within the Ministry’s guidelines as explained above. There are funds that will be announced by the Ministry in the coming weeks which may help to reduce the deficit and further changes may be made during the school year depending on changes to COVID restrictions.
The 2021-2022 operating budget was developed to align with the Board’s draft multi-year strategic plan to assign monetary resources to the realization of the Board’s mission and vision. The following are the areas of focus that governed the Budget Development Process: In addition to the above the Board is committed to:
1. A fiscally-sound approach to developing a balanced budget, 2. Enhanced financial stability, 3. Continued promotion of fiscal responsibility, and 4. Legislative compliance.
Due to the unprecedented period that the Board is currently navigating, this year’s budget has been prepared based on the assumption that there will be a need for some level of at home learning in September, however, at this time there is not enough information to determine the number of students who may choose the at home option versus in school learning. Currently, the Ministry has provided some funding for possible virtual learning and boards have been encouraged to plan conservatively, ensure prudent use of funds and to be prepared to transition back to conventional learning. The Ministry has provided NNDSB with approximately $1.8 million for additional staffing requiring for virtual learning but has requested that boards only budget for 50% of that. Because of the uncertainty of the number of students that may require virtual learning we have included $718,609 for staffing, which includes teachers, educational assistants, early childhood educators, clerical, and support staff as well as other supports. Staff will not be allocated to virtual learning programs until the need is Page 3 of 11
identified. In addition, the government has provided NNDSB $375,000 for enhanced cleaning and health and safety measures related to school bussing.
The Ministry of Education has announced other funding through the Priorities and Partnership Funds (PPF) and will provide over $460 million provincially in PPF funding. Of the $460 million, the Board’s portion of this allocation is about $3.25 million, including the $1.8 million for staffing and $750,000 for transportation mentioned above. Other than the staffing and transportation components the remaining PPF funds have not been included in the budget pending more details from the province and further planning by school board staff.
The 2021-2022 operating budget projects total revenue of about $160.9 million which is a decrease of $3.4 million or 2.1% from 2020-2021 revised estimates. This reflects a 1% increase to salary benchmarks reflecting central agreements, and a 2% increase in non-staff related grants. Total expenditures are projected at $161.3 million which is an increase of $3.4 million or 2.1% from 2020-2021 revised estimates. The increased expenditures include increases to salaries and benefits, school operating costs and student achievement programs which support the board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan. Much of the decrease in revenue is due to decreased School Generated Funds which are not available for board operations and decreased Amortization of Capital Assets costs.
Despite the small deficit, $417,194 or about 0.3% of the budget, the Near North District School Board is presenting a compliant budget for the 2021-2022 school year.
Operating Budget
The operating budget comprises the major annual revenues and expenditures of the Board’s financial operations. Revenues from operating grants are received from the Ministry of Education, largely through the Grants for Student Needs (GSN) and represents a significant percentage of the Board’s total operating revenues.
Grants for Student Needs (GSN) Classroom instruction
Local Taxation Facilities Operations & Maintenance Estimated Estimated Expenditures Priorities and Partnership Funds Student Transportation Revenues
Other Fees & Revenue School & Board Administration $160.9 M $161.3 M Deferred Capital Contributions Other Expenses
Enrolment is the main driver for the Board’s funding, as well as the key determinant for teacher staffing to ensure class size compliance. The funding is based on the Average Daily Enrolment (ADE) using the fulltime equivalent of students enrolled at each school as of October 31st and March 31st. Sound enrolment projections are primary to ensuring a balanced budget; there is risk if enrolment is overstated. Enrolment for 2021-22 is projected to be an FTE of 9,488.5 students which is an increase of 136.15 students.
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Near North DSB Enrolment - ADE Budget vs 2020/2021 Revised 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 Revised 2021/2022 Estimates Actual Actual Budget Estimates Budget Change Elementary JK/SK 1,231.00 1,235.00 1,189.00 1,135.00 1,170.00 35.00 Gr. 1 - 3 1,944.35 1,920.50 1,932.00 1,859.00 1,926.00 67.00 Gr. 4 - 8 3,415.85 3,408.50 3,417.00 3,408.00 3,411.00 3.00 Indigenous Students 121.50 119.00 103.00 108.00 102.00 -6.00 Visa Students 1.50 Total Elementary 6,712.70 6,684.50 6,641.00 6,510.00 6,609.00 99.00 Secondary Pupils of the Board 2,969.46 2,920.46 2,873.50 2,760.85 2,802.00 41.15 Indigenous Students 72.50 74.00 70.50 78.50 70.50 -8.00 Visa Students 36.00 31.50 17.00 3.00 7.00 4.00 Total Secondary 3,077.96 3,025.96 2,961.00 2,842.35 2,879.50 37.15 Total Enrolment 9,790.66 9,710.46 9,602.00 9,352.35 9,488.50 136.15
The following charts provide a summary of the Board’s projected revenues and expenditures for the 2021-22 year. More detailed charts of revenue and expenditures are provided in Appendices A and B.
Revenue Summary
Near North DSB 2021-2022 Budget Summary 2020/2021 2020/2021 Revised 2021/2022 $ Budget 2018/2019 Actual 2019/2020 Actual Budget Estimates (RE) Budget Change vs RE Revenues Provincial legislative grants 139,217,586 135,631,507 140,992,416 138,711,649 142,438,010 3,726,361 Provincial grants - other 3,329,178 2,383,991 963,562 6,450,153 2,267,167 -4,182,986 Federal grants and fees 2,407,213 2,490,042 2,280,603 2,488,563 2,306,640 -181,923 Other fees and revenues 2,847,988 2,034,266 320,595 176,520 210,304 33,784 Other revenues - school boards 240,972 467,921 290,000 516,991 521,811 4,820 Investment Income 173,462 203,662 0 65,000 0 -65,000 School generated funds 2,812,911 1,447,211 2,774,334 2,774,334 1,432,739 -1,341,595 Amortization of deferred capital contributions 10,748,516 11,764,100 13,028,016 13,100,554 11,689,732 -1,410,822 Total Revenue 161,777,826 156,422,700 160,649,526 164,283,764 160,866,403 -3,417,361
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Operating Expenses By Function
Near North DSB 2021-2022 Budget Summary 2020/2021 2020/2021 Revised 2021/2022 $ Budget 2018/2019 Actual 2019/2020 Actual Budget Estimates (RE) Budget Change vs RE Expenses Instruction 110,468,411 103,359,337 110,999,586 114,336,461 114,374,309 37,848 Administration 4,194,426 4,259,679 4,545,085 4,674,645 4,650,587 -24,058 Student transportation 12,160,131 12,121,176 12,388,369 13,112,017 12,629,961 -482,056 Pupil accommodation 27,179,381 27,538,789 28,401,711 29,362,880 27,753,889 -1,608,991 Other 1,416,787 1,418,250 481,202 481,202 481,202 0 School generated funds 2,778,084 1,407,725 2,722,522 2,722,522 1,393,649 -1,328,873 Total Expenses 158,197,220 150,104,956 159,538,475 164,689,727 161,283,597 -3,406,130 Annual Accumulated Surplus/(Deficit), Before Retirement Gratuity Phase Out Obligation 3,580,606 6,317,744 1,111,051 -405,963 -417,194 -11,231 Retirement Gratuity Phase Out 1,723,930 1,723,929 1,034,358 1,034,358 0 -1,034,358
Annual Accumulated Surplus/(Deficit) 1,856,676 4,593,815 76,693 -1,440,321 -417,194 1,023,127
Operating Expenses By Category
Budgeted expenditures are based on negotiated collective agreements, contractual and service contracts, legislative requirements, and local needs of the system. The budget was carefully reviewed for efficiencies and savings where possible. Current projections for WSIB (Workplace Safety Insurance Board), supply/replacement costs and transportation reflect increases based on historical data and known information.
Total salaries and benefits account for 74% of the total operating expenditures.
The following chart shows the estimated expenditures by category for 2021-22:
Operating Expenses (by Category) $ Change 2020/2021 Budget vs 2018/2019 2020/2021 Revised 2021/2022 Revised Actual 2019/2020 Actual Budget Estimates Budget Estimates Expense Category Salaries & Benefits 115,584,097 110,070,547 116,170,177 119,020,837 119,545,595 524,758 Staff Development 370,400 130,756 563,695 591,927 235,700 -356,227 Supplies & Services 11,054,808 8,528,335 10,985,804 11,840,493 10,128,514 -1,711,979 Interest on Debt 2,225,350 2,118,230 2,039,707 2,039,707 1,924,589 -115,118 Rental Expenses 856,494 457,372 482,350 682,350 393,150 -289,200 Fees & Contractual Services 15,792,466 15,299,660 15,644,182 16,861,853 16,651,120 -210,733 Other Expenses 1,492,549 1,627,703 552,006 552,006 564,006 12,000 Amortization 10,821,056 11,872,353 13,100,554 13,100,554 11,840,923 -1,259,631 Total Expenses by Category 158,197,220 150,104,956 159,538,475 164,689,727 161,283,597 -3,406,130
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Staffing:
Staffing takes into consideration various elements such as:
• Centrally negotiated collective agreements which include additional System Investment funds to reinstate certain employee positions that were reduced as of August 31, 2019. This funding continues until August 31, 2022.
• Special education and mental health supports as well as enhanced opportunities for Indigenous programming.
• The addition of a Business Analyst to the Finance Department.
• Staffing for possible virtual school is not included in the chart below as we don’t know the number of staff needed.
Staffing (FTE) - October 31 Count Date for Actuals
Change 2020/2021 Budget vs. 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 Revised 2021/2022 Revised Actual Actual Budget Estimates Budget Estimates Classroom & Support Staff Teaching 661.10 638.30 648.60 672.70 643.90 -28.80 Para-professionals 72.60 74.60 73.60 76.10 79.10 3.00 Educational Assistants 173.50 167.00 167.00 167.00 172.00 5.00 Early Childhood Educators 50.00 52.00 44.00 44.00 45.00 1.00 Library & Guidance 21.50 21.00 24.20 20.30 24.50 4.20 Co-ordinators & System Principals 28.70 17.30 22.60 21.60 20.00 -1.60 Total Classroom Staff 1,007.40 970.20 980.00 1,001.70 984.50 -17.20
Support Staff School Administration 102.70 100.20 96.80 97.30 97.30 0.00 Board Administration 32.80 31.20 32.80 35.80 36.00 0.20 Facility Services 117.40 116.60 111.80 118.80 118.50 -0.30 Other Support Staff 2.00 2.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 0.50 Total Support Staff 254.90 250.50 243.40 254.40 254.80 0.40 Total NNDSB Staff 1,262.30 1,220.70 1,223.40 1,256.10 1,239.30 -16.80
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GSN Capital Budget
The GSN provides facility renewal grants (School Renewal and School Condition Improvement) to fund upgrading and renovation of school facilities. A facility renewal project would normally be a project that would cost more than $10,000 and would convey a benefit of more than one year.
The Ministry has established an accountability framework to monitor facility renewal expenditures of all school boards. This framework includes the use of surveys, questionnaires, inventories, and asset management systems, which must be kept updated on an annual basis. School boards are required to submit, by December 31 of each year, information summarizing school renewal projects that have been undertaken in the past year and information identifying school renewal projects to be undertaken in the coming year.
Capital Budget 2020/2021 2021/2022 Budget $ Budget Budget Allocation Change School Renewal 2,712,084 2,692,378 -19,706 School Condition Improvement 5,077,863 3,705,656 -1,372,207 Total Capital Budget 7,789,947 6,398,034 -1,391,913
NNDSB has also received funding from the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) approved by Infrastructure Canada and the Ministry of Education in the amount of $6.2 million to improve air quality at a number of the board’s schools. These projects will be completed over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years.
Capital Update – New Builds
The government provides funding to school boards to build new or add-on to existing schools based on the needs of the school community and the Board. All capital projects are approved by the Ministry of Education. The allocation for new schools is calculated assuming a space requirement of 104 square feet for each elementary student and 130 square feet for each secondary student. The Ministry then applies standard construction costs to calculate an allocation. This allocation is provided to school boards when the construction of a new school or addition begins.
Current construction projects include:
• JK – 12 Build in Parry Sound – The Board appointed Ventin Group Architects and the design of the school is well underway. The JK-12 Building Committee is meeting regularly, and the final design is expected to be completed in the next few months. The new school is scheduled to open in September 2023.
• Fricker Build – The design of the school is complete and, at the time of writing this report, the request for approval to proceed has been submitted to the Ministry of Education. The school is expected to open in the fall of 2022.
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Appendix A
Comparative Revenue Summary 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 Actual Actual Budget Budget $ Change % Change Provincial Grants (GSN) Pupil Foundation Allocation 53,559,896 50,206,573 52,753,740 52,616,234 -137,506 0% School Foundation Allocation 9,356,946 9,491,708 9,358,887 9,293,089 -65,798 -1% Special Education Allocation 19,187,622 19,613,000 19,611,685 19,786,651 174,966 1% Language Allocation 1,602,495 1,661,967 1,638,621 1,686,373 47,752 3% Supported School Allocation 2,542,143 2,939,482 3,138,470 3,158,563 20,093 1% Remote and Rural Allocation 3,583,915 3,605,855 3,634,788 3,649,473 14,685 0% Rural and Northern Education Allocation 477,126 506,818 506,948 508,682 1,734 0% Learning Opportunites Allocation 3,310,646 1,837,093 1,910,858 2,027,557 116,699 6% Continuing Education Allocation 594,115 553,466 607,494 578,749 -28,745 -5% Cost Adjustment and Teacher Qualification 10,866,399 13,806,491 12,068,059 12,574,082 506,023 4% New Teacher Induction Program Allocation 111,822 60,440 88,822 88,848 26 0% ECE Q&E Allocation 616,555 624,742 658,626 650,321 -8,305 -1% Restraint Savings Allocation -63,298 -63,298 -63,298 -63,298 0 0% Transportation Allocation 11,678,287 11,863,867 12,103,634 12,220,545 116,911 1% Administrative and Governance Allocation 5,085,979 5,017,195 4,216,821 4,057,160 -159,661 -4% School Operations Allocation 12,553,764 12,566,549 12,650,698 12,751,615 100,917 1% Community Use of Schools Allocation 175,440 174,190 171,923 169,831 -2,092 -1% Declining Enrolment Adjustment 19,411 221,890 231,677 220,282 -11,395 -5% Indigenous Education Allocation 1,056,442 1,128,374 1,275,034 1,102,675 -172,359 -14% Safe and Accepting Schools Allocation 248,930 251,224 0 Mental Health and Well-Being Grant 510,815 626,764 115,949 23% Supports for Students Fund 1,328,893 1,328,893 0 0% Program Leadership Grant 905,864 982,194 76,330 8% Permanent Financing of NPF 393,202 393,202 393,202 393,202 0 0% Deduct Savings from Strike or Lock-out -2,333,649 Regular Provincial Grants 136,957,837 134,127,179 139,702,261 140,408,485 706,224 1%
Grants for Capital Purposes School Renewal 391,689 346,402 283,857 283,857 0 0% Temporary Accomodation 0 Short term Interest 63,912 48,117 48,734 95,181 46,447 95% Debt Funding for Capital 2,255,916 2,150,083 2,039,707 1,924,589 -115,118 -6% Total Capital Grants 2,711,517 2,544,602 2,372,298 2,303,627 -68,671 -3%
Other Grants Other Ministry of Education Grants 2,814,754 1,826,946 1,024,844 1,818,483 793,639 77% Other Provincial Grants 608,107 557,045 417,827 448,684 30,857 7% Total Non-GSN Grants 3,422,861 2,383,991 1,442,671 2,267,167 824,496 57%
Other Revenue Tuition Fees 2,971,739 2,902,171 2,536,198 2,404,444 -131,754 -5% Rentals 340,075 306,917 220,000 232,500 12,500 6% Interest 173,462 203,662 0 0 0 Other Revenue 2,184,359 1,783,141 135,000 401,811 266,811 198% School Generated Funds 2,812,911 1,447,211 2,774,334 1,432,739 -1,341,595 -48% Total Non-Grant Revenue 8,482,546 6,643,102 5,665,532 4,471,494 -1,194,038 -21%
Deferred Revenues Amortization of DCC (net of contributions) 10,100,657 11,764,100 13,028,016 11,689,732 -1,338,284 -10% Deferred Revenues - from/(to) Ministry GSN 102,408 -1,040,274 -1,082,143 -274,102 808,041 -75% Net Deferred Revenue 10,203,065 10,723,826 11,945,873 11,415,630 -530,243 -4% Total Revenue and Grants 161,777,826 156,422,700 161,128,635 160,866,403 -262,232 0%
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Appendix B
Comparative Expense Summary 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 Actual Actual Budget Budget $ Change % Change Instruction Classroom Teachers 69,086,905 66,968,419 70,696,024 71,315,071 619,047 1% Supply Staff 3,508,998 2,391,257 3,281,784 3,138,100 -143,684 -4% Teacher Assistants 9,470,507 8,871,282 9,199,254 9,710,840 511,586 6% Early Childhood Educators 2,365,991 2,402,357 2,400,922 2,411,635 10,713 0% Textbooks and Supplies 2,666,652 1,874,731 2,358,146 3,132,915 774,769 33% Computers 1,212,656 897,938 754,300 1,041,275 286,975 38% Professionals & Para-professionals 4,880,483 4,686,829 5,173,754 5,910,862 737,108 14% Library and Guidance 1,380,937 1,330,385 1,912,158 1,926,077 13,919 1% Staff Development 748,452 261,511 549,642 423,637 -126,005 -23% Department Heads 137,705 139,447 143,766 141,196 -2,570 -2% Total Instruction 95,459,286 89,824,156 96,469,750 99,151,608 2,681,858 3% School Management Principals and Vice-principals 6,995,705 6,868,490 6,454,414 6,533,860 79,446 1% School Office 3,591,451 3,410,145 3,958,837 3,840,927 -117,910 -3% Coordinators and Consultants 2,863,261 1,998,364 2,630,998 3,494,884 863,886 33% Continuing Education 883,021 655,900 793,437 705,342 -88,095 -11% Instructional Amortization 675,787 602,282 692,150 647,688 -44,462 -6% Total School Management 15,009,225 13,535,181 14,529,836 15,222,701 692,865 5%
Administration Trustees 117,873 97,661 125,865 125,909 44 0% Directors and Supervisory Officers 889,964 879,856 614,862 515,962 -98,900 -16% Board Administration 3,136,595 3,235,287 3,748,674 3,972,578 223,904 6% Administration Amortization 49,994 46,875 55,684 36,138 -19,546 -35% Total Administration 4,194,426 4,259,679 4,545,085 4,650,587 105,502 2%
Student Transportation 12,160,131 12,121,176 12,388,369 12,629,961 241,592 2%
Pupil Accommodation School Operations & Maintenance 14,486,005 13,850,961 13,725,427 14,388,346 662,919 5% School Renewal 391,689 346,402 283,857 283,857 0 0% Interest on Capital Debt 2,225,350 2,118,230 2,039,707 1,924,589 -115,118 -6% Pupil Accommodation Amortization 10,076,337 11,223,196 12,352,720 11,157,097 -1,195,623 -10% Total Pupil Accommodation 27,179,381 27,538,789 28,401,711 27,753,889 -647,822 -2%
Other School Generated Funds Expenses 2,778,084 1,407,725 2,722,522 1,393,649 -1,328,873 -49% Other Non-Operating Expenses 1,416,787 1,418,250 481,202 481,202 0 0% Total Other Expenses 4,194,871 2,825,975 3,203,724 1,874,851 -1,328,873 -41%
Total Expenses 158,197,320 150,104,956 159,538,475 161,283,597 1,745,122 1%
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P.O. Box 3110, 963 Airport Road North Bay, ON P1B 8H1 705.472.8170, Fax: 705.472.9927
Jay Aspin, Chair Craig Myles, Director of Education
Parry Sound Build Committee Meeting Thursday, June 3, 2021 Head Office of the Near North District School Board 963 Airport Road, North Bay, ON
Committee Members Present Staff Present Jay Aspin, Board Chair Gay Smylie, Acting Superintendent of Education John Cochrane, Committee Chair Marianne Speirs, Capital Projects Manager Nichole King, Trustee Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent of Education Krista Messenger, Executive Assistant Absent Timothy Graves, Superintendent of Education Rob Learn, Trustee
1.0 Call to Order
Committee Chair Cochrane called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. Attendance was called to confirm the meeting has quorum. The Committee welcomed M. Gray and T. Graves to the meeting, as the Chair of the Parry Sound Build Programming Sub-Committee, and Parry Sound Building Sub-Committee, respectively.
2.0 Review of Minutes
2.1 Review of Minutes- May 5, 2021
Committee Chair Cochrane referred members to the meeting minutes contained in the agenda package. The floor was opened for questions or comments with none rose.
Moved by Trustee King and seconded by Board Chair Aspin that the minutes of the May 5, 2021, meeting of the Parry Sound Build Committee be approved as presented. - CARRIED.
3.0 Report from Sub-Committees
3.1 Parry Sound Programming Committee
Committee Chair Cochrane noted minutes and a report are contained in the agenda package. Acting Superintendent Gray was invited to provide an update regarding the sub-committee’s work to date. Highlights of the conversation are noted as:
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• The sub-committee has met twice so far, both sets of minutes are included in the agenda package for information purposes. • The first meeting set the tone by clarifying the focus and role of the sub-programming committee. • The second meeting focused more specifically on preparing room allocations, move management, how to accommodate programming in the new build, communication planning, etc. M. Speirs was thanked for the design information she provided for this conversation. • The sub-committee is currently focused on reviewing the Ministry approved design parameters for Special Education classrooms, the hospitality program, as well as programming spaces, zoning between elementary and secondary, sharing of amenities, cafetorium, library/learning commons, Indigenous hub/learning space, etc. • Sub-committee is collecting feedback and questions for consideration. Lots of follow-up actions for Principal Buckland regarding mapping activities.
Committee Chair Cochrane thanked M. Gray for the report and opened the floor for questions, with none rose.
3.2 Parry Sound Building Committee
Committee Chair Cochrane noted minutes and a report are contained in the agenda package. Superintendent Graves was invited to provide an update regarding the sub-committee’s work to date. Highlights of the conversation are noted as: • The sub-committee met on May 7, 2021 and established a bi-weekly schedule following each NNDSB staff and +VG Architects meeting. • Review of the key milestones to ensure the project stays on track. A timeline has been outlined on the report to detail the construction planning (including the relocation plans for staff). • It is noted that there will be meetings with specific department staff over the summer to support the design intricacies of specific spaces (for example: science teachers to advise on specific planning for science labs, etc). • At this point, the sub-committee is pleased to report the architect is progressing towards milestones on time and the project is on track. • Priority focus is on instructional space but there will be a handful of administrative spaces that need to be accounted for as well. • The sub-committee will meet next on June 4, 2021, and review demolition drawings including site plan, with demolition phases and next level of design development after approval of schematic floor plan design.
Floor opened for questions and none rose. Comment from Committee Chair Cochrane to note the Build Committee would be pleased to have both sub-committee chairs attend future meetings to ensure the appropriate exchange of information continues. This speaks loudly to the board’s commitment to transparency.
Committee Chair Cochrane tabled a suggestion to post a Q+A document on the website to support the public finding responses to questions being asked. Support from Board Chair Aspin for this approach. It is noted that this was considered by the senior team and it was felt that this might limit specific answers being provided (as there are things that will change).
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Committee Chair Cochrane recognized this perspective and left the suggestion with staff for consideration.
4.0 New Business
4.1 Parry Sound Town Council Debrief
It is noted that NNDSB was invited to a Parry Sound Town Council meeting on June 1, 2021 to provide an update on the JK-12 build. The board was represented by Board Chair Aspin, Vice-Chair Cochrane, Director Myles and Acting Superintendent Smylie. Committee Chair Cochrane open the floor for comments to debrief from the presentation. Highlights noted as: • Board Chair Aspin noted the deputation lasted approximately 90 minutes, which NNDSB was thankful to have occupied so much time during the meeting. Council members asked good questions on behalf of themselves and their community members. • The timing of the deputation to Council was also important, given that the Board received a project update on May 18, 2021 and presented to the council on June 1st. This speaks to the Board’s commitments to transparency. • Comments regarding the communication protocols in place to respond to questions. Comments and questions from staff are to go to their immediate supervisor, and comments from the public are forwarded to the open feedback survey on the website. • Superintendent Smylie noted that many of the questions posed at the deputation are concerns the board anticipated hearing about as we share these concerns as well (for example- the hexpods and questions surrounding their quality were also posed by the board to the architects directly as part of the selection and planning process). The board and the community share a common commitment to ensuring the best environment for our kids. • It is acknowledged that change can be difficult to accept and the best way forward for the Board will be to provide the public with the factual information and keep moving forward with the project. This also speaks to the board’s commitment to forward momentum. • Comment from Trustee King to note it is also important for NNDSB to stay firm to our mandate in that “we are in the business of education, not recreation”. It is not realistic for the board to be responsible for recreational amenities that are outside of the scope of student learning/ interests.
4.2 Review of Community Feedback Report
Report contained in the package. No further conversation noted.
4.3 Community Presentation- Update
Update provided regarding the community review event planned for June 8, 2021 with the architect. It is noted that Superintendent Graves will be moderating the conversation to ensure build-specific questions are addressed, and other questions are directed to the website for submission. A prep meeting is taking place tomorrow to run through some
3 | P a g e planning items, and a detailed agenda will be shared in the days that follow to clarify the order of events. Prep meeting invitation to be extended to Board Chair Aspin and Committee Chair Cochrane for their attendance as well.
5.0 Next Meeting Date
Committee Chair Cochrane noted he would be pleased to call a meeting as needed by staff.
6.0 Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, on June 3, 2021 the Parry Sound Build Committee stands adjourned at 9:35 AM.
Minutes: JC/km.
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BOARD REPORT
Title: Parry Sound Build Committee Report
Contact: John Cochrane, Committee Chair Date Submitted: June 9, 2021 Mandate: The Parry Sound JK-12 Build Committee will monitor the project costs, spending and timely completion of construction.
Background: The Parry Sound Building Committee met on June 3, 2021. Highlights of the meeting are noted as: • Sub-committee meeting minutes were reviewed. Sub-committee chairs were invited to present a report to update the Build Committee on their work to date. • The Chair of the Parry Sound Programming Sub-Committee, Acting Superintendent Gray noted they are currently focused on reviewing the Ministry approved design parameters for Special Education classrooms, the hospitality program, as well as programming spaces, zoning between elementary and secondary, sharing of amenities, cafetorium, library/learning commons, Indigenous hub/learning space, etc. • The Chair of the Parry Sound Building Sub-Committee, Superintendent Graves shared an update on the construction plans, and the key milestones to ensure the project remains on track. The next meeting will focus on reviewing demolition drawings including the site plan, with demolition phases and next level of design development after approval of schematic floor plan design. • The Committee reviewed plans for the community review presentation planned for June 8, 2021 with the Ventin Group. Following the event, the Building Sub-Committee will prepare a report to bring forward as part of the event debrief. • Highlights provided on the presentation to Parry Sound Town Council. Board Chair Aspin was pleased with the amount of time Council dedicated to NNDSB’s deputation. Committee Chair Cochrane offer regards to staff involved and spoke to how this furthered the board’s committee to transparency. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation review at the Council meeting is attached.
Recommendations: That the Board of Trustees receives the board report as presented by the Parry Sound Build Committee.
P. O. Box 3110 North Bay, ON P1B 8H1 Telephone: (705) 472-8170 Fax: (705) 472-9927 www.nearnorthschools.ca Jay Aspin, Chairperson Craig Myles, Director of Education Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) April 9th, 2021 TEAMS online meeting Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent of Education Harry Fry, Trustee Laura Forget, Parent Cathy Bennett, Parent Melanie Allard, Executive Assistant Welcome • Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent of Education welcomed everyone and went through introductions.
Approval of the March 19th, 2021 notes • The committee approved the March 19th, 2021 notes.
Review of Parent Sessions: 3-part Virtual Series • The group received the link to the Sway and session registration. This will allow us to track registrations and send out email reminders. • A Sources of Support for Mental Wellness eBook (through Youth Mental Health Canada) will be further investigated for purchase for participants. • The invite will be circulated out to community partners. • It was suggested to have space in the registration page for a question. This could help direct the focus of the sessions. (especially if the same question is seen many times). • Workshops 1 & 2 will focus on all age groups. • The committee approved the Sway and registration process. It will be circulated out on all social media platforms.
PIC introduction • The video from past years was shared to the group. • It was suggested to have the three co-chairs do a quick 20 second video and email it to Superintendent Gray. Ideas such as: why it is important to be involved and why you personally wanted to be involved, sharing a few words of welcome and introduction. Superintendent Gray will email some direction/themes to work with. • Video clips were requested by Wednesday. • These clips will be combined to parts of the original PIC video.
Future Meeting • A further PIC meeting was schedule for May 28th at 9:30am. This will include feedback from the virtual sessions, next steps and plans for the Indigenous education session.
Our mission is to educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning.
P. O. Box 3110 North Bay, ON P1B 8H1 Telephone: (705) 472-8170 Fax: (705) 472-9927 www.nearnorthschools.ca Jay Aspin, Chairperson Craig Myles, Director of Education Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) May 28th, 2021 ZOOM online meeting
Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent of Education Harry Fry, Trustee Laura Forget, Parent Marcus Etienne, Parent Melanie Allard, Executive Assistant
Welcome • Melanie Gray, Acting Superintendent of Education welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Approval of the April 9th, 2021 notes • The committee approved the April 9th, 2021 notes. Approver: Laura Forget Seconder: Marcus Etienne
Review of Parent Sessions: 3-part Virtual Series • The virtual platform worked well as the sessions were well attended in comparison to prior face to face forums. • Recordings of the three sessions are available for viewing on the Board website. • Two e-book resources were sent out to participants. • It was suggested to send out a communication through the comms department to remind parents of the recorded sessions as a “refresher” for parents in the new school year. • The group discussed engaging a speaker for next year. Further investigation is needed to make sure it is the right fit. Laura will compile a list from the regional PIC site. • The Indigenous session can not take place this year as the Tipis have not been received yet. This will be revisited in the Fall. • Trustee Fry will not be returning next year but has been very pleased with the progress this group has made. • It was suggested to put together wellness kits for students and parents. This has taken place for secondary schools in partnership with student senate however could be an idea for elementary students next year.
Future Meeting • The group did not finalize a future date but will revisit it in September. • It was suggested that future topics could be identifying student’s reading levels and support for parents. • Also suggested was a possible PIC “trademark”.
Our mission is to educate learners to their fullest potential in preparation for life-long learning.