These are highlights of the initial meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held November 24, 2025.
Affirmation of Traditional Lands
Erica Charlton, Trustee, Belleville/Thurlow, offered a Land Affirmation.
Presentation: Early Reading at Central Hastings School
This presentation showcased improvements in early reading through collaboration, consistency and commitment. The has implemented three key practices: knowing our learners, aligned strategies and approaches, and small-group instruction. The result? The percentage of students in SK to Grade 2 increased from 50% to 69% at/above the Acadience benchmark for the 2024-2025 school year to the 2025-2026 school year.
Thank you to presenters (L to R, back) Katherine MacIver, Director of Education; Karen Shillington; Jason Carman; Sean Pudlis; Kellie Hewitt; (L to R, front) Deborah Wood; Kate Dinsmore; Jennifer Davidson; Tina France and Kari Kramp, PhD, Chair of the Board.
Ontario Public School Boards' Association update
Highlights from this report included the following:
- the Eastern Regional Meeting was held in Renfrew last weekend; professional learning featured environmental and sensory education. Participants discussed student nutrition programs, governance snf Bill 33, among other topics.
Governance and Policy Committee: November 18, 2025
Board members approved committee membership for Standing, Statutory, System Advisory and External committees, and also for the Food for Learning Committee. The list of committee membership on page 40 of the November 24, 2025 agenda was amended following discussion about trustee preferences.
Board members elected Kandis Hambly as chair and Erica Charlton as vice-chair of the Physical Planning, Finance and Building Committee.
Board members elected Amanda Robertson as chair and Erica Charlton as vice-chair of the Student Learning, Well-being and Equity Committee.
Audit Committee: November 12, 2025
Board members approved the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending August 31, 2025. Find out more on page 41 of the November 24, 2025 agenda.
Student Voice
Highlights from this report included the following:
- attendance at the Ontario Student Trustees' Association conference earlier this month where they attended workshops about gender-based violence and consent. Other sessions included eNetworking and learning about one's digital footprint.
Chair's report and trustee sharing
Highlights from this report included the following:
- meetings with local members of provincial parliament and federal parliament;
- Bird's Creek PS is going strong on the Words Matter initiative; York River PS is hosting holiday events;
- participation in a cross-sector school food working group;
- shout-out to Student Trustee Maria Nash who is doing a capstone project about addictions; and
- a holiday market at Harmony PS happening on December 10.
Director's report
Highlights from this report included the following:
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senior staff are looking at revised estimates and reviewing data about new enrolment;
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the director has been invited to participate in budget consultations;
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all trustees are invited to attend the special event to name the Learning Commons at Trent River PS on November 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM;
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invitation to trustees to join one of the Words Matter Student Conferences in mid-December; and
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recognition of Debbie Lucas, Executive Assistant, who is retiring this Friday after 25+ years at HPEDSB. Debbie has been behind-the-scenes at +100 Board meetings over the years.
The Director’s Annual Report is a reflection on the 2024–2025 school year. It highlights the milestones we reached together, key operational advancements and the meaningful partnerships that continue to strengthen HPEDSB and our school communities. Read the Director's Annual Report at the link on page 2 of the November 24, 2025 agenda.
Literacy continuum supports
This report outlined three core components of the K-12 literacy instructional continuum: foundational skills instruction; integrated language and disciplinary literacy and a tiered approach to language and literacy instruction. Next steps involve program planning for cross-curricular literacy learning experiences in all grades. Find out more on page 82 of the November 24, 2025 agenda.
Notice of motion for consideration
A notice of motion was presented at the October 27, 2025 Regular Public Board meeting that The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board create a policy on minute-taking for Board meetings that aligns with the Ombudsman requirements. This motion was referred to the Governance and Policy Committee.
Rise and report from Committee of the Whole
At the closed Committee of the Whole meeting, three reports were received: two from the closed Audit Committee and one from the closed Physical Planning and Building Committee.
Calendar of events
The dates for upcoming school events, committee and Board meetings are listed on page 87 of the agenda.
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