Board Meeting Summary, November 25, 2024

Board Meeting Summary, November 25, 2024
Posted on 11/25/2024

This is a summary of the public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held November 25, 2024. 

Acknowledgement of Traditional Lands

Rachael Prinzen, Trustee, North Prince Edward County, offered the Land Acknowledgement.

Rise and Report from Committee of the Whole

Trustees met in closed session to review the determinations in light of an appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen.   

Based on s.218.3(10) and s.207 (2) (b) of the Education Act, the report and the appeal are not being publicly disclosed, and review of the determinations and sanctions were held in closed session, as permitted by those sections.

S.218(3)(11) requires that even though deliberations may be held in private, the resolutions/motions to confirm or revoke the determination and confirm, vary or revoke the sanctions must be made at a public Board meeting.

Board members approved the following motions coming forward from the closed session:

  • Motion 1: Sections 5(a) and 5(c) Respect for Confidentiality

In accordance with HPEDSB Governance Directive 7.1 March 2023, Board Members’ Code of Conduct (“the Code”) and applicable sections of the Ontario Education Act, and taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the investigator outlined in his report to the HPEDSB Board of Trustees dated October 24, 2024, regarding allegations of breaches of the Code by Trustee Rachael Prinzen and the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen regarding the determination of the Board of  Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB Board of Trustees confirms their determination that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Code of Conduct for failing to keep confidential, information disclosed at a closed Board or committee meeting and divulging such confidential information without authorization by the Board or required by law.

  • Motion 2: Section 6(a) Upholding Decisions of the Board

In accordance with HPEDSB Governance Directive 7.1 March 2023, Board Members’ Code of Conduct (“the Code”) and applicable sections of the Ontario Education Act, and taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the investigator outlined in his report to the HPEDSB Board of Trustees dated October 24, 2024, regarding allegations of breaches of the Code by Trustee Rachael Prinzen and the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen regarding the determination of the Board of Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB Board of Trustees confirms their determination that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached Section 6(a) of the Code for failing to accept that authority rests with the Board of Trustees and that a trustee has no individual authority other than that delegated by the Board of Trustees. 

  • Motion 3:  Section 3(a) Compliance with Legislation

In accordance with HPEDSB Governance Directive 7.1 March 2023, Board Members’ Code of Conduct (“the Code”) and applicable sections of the Ontario Education Act, and taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the investigator outlined in his report to the HPEDSB Board of Trustees dated October 24, 2024, regarding allegations of breaches of the Code by Trustee Rachael Prinzen and the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen on November 20, 2024, regarding the determination of the Board of Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB Board of Trustees confirms their determination that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached Section 3(a) of the Code for failing to comply with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act by disclosing confidential and personal information contrary to that Act.

  • Motion 4: Section 1(d) Trustee Integrity and Dignity of Office

In accordance with HPEDSB Governance Directive 7.1 March 2023, Board Members’ Code of Conduct (“the Code”) and applicable sections of the Ontario Education Act, and taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of the investigator outlined in his report to the HPEDSB Board of Trustees dated October 24, 2024, regarding allegations of breaches of the Code by Trustee Rachael Prinzen and the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen on November 20, 2024, regarding the determination of the Board of Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB Board of Trustees confirms their determination that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached Section 1(d) of the Code for failing to keep her comments issue-based and not personal and avoid making demeaning or disparaging comments respecting Board staff or fellow Board members.

  • Motion 5: Sanctions

In accordance with the Education Act and the HPEDSB Members’ Code of Conduct, the HPEDSB Trustees, having confirmed that Trustee Rachael Prinzen has breached the Members’ Code of Conduct as outlined in the Board motions making those determinations and taking into consideration the appeal submitted by Trustee Rachael Prinzen on November 20, 2024, regarding the determination of the Board of Trustees on November 6, 2024, the HPEDSB confirms the following sanctions: that Trustee Prinzen be barred from attending all or part of a meeting of the Board, or a committee thereof, and from sitting on one or more of the Board’s committees commencing January 6, 2025, for a period of 90 days.

  • Motion 6: Communication of Board Decisions

The Chair of the Board, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, shall give Trustee Rachael Prinzen written notice of the decision to confirm the determinations together with reasons for the decisions and written notice of the decision to confirm the sanctions imposed by the Board of Trustees.

External committee reports

Food for Learning Committee, November 14, 2024

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • an increased cost of food for Food for Learning programs; an appeal to local municipalities to include funds for student nutrition programs in budgets;
  • Feed the Meter campaign will launch soon to support student nutrition programs.

Standing Committee reports

Governance and Policy Committee: November 19, 2024

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • approval of committee membership for Standing, Statutory, System Advisory and External committees, excluding OPSBA and SEAC which are decided at other dates, as determined through the Governance and Policy Committee for one year commencing November 25, 2024. Find out more starting on page 41 of the November 25, 2024 agenda;
  • elected Erica Charlton chair and Kandis Hambly vice-chair of the Physical Planning, Finance and Building Committee; and
  • elected Amanda Robertson chair and Erica Charlton vice-chair of the Student Learning, Well-being and Equity Committee.

Student Learning, Well-being and Equity Meeting, November 4, 2024 

Learning Foundation Soundfield Campaign

Board members approved a recommendation to support the Learning Foundation to raise funds for school soundfield systems. Find out more starting on page 43 of the November 25, 2024 agenda. 

Physical Planning, Finance and Building Committee, November 11, 2024

Board members approved two recommendations:

  1. Long-term Capital and Accommodation Plan (at page 8 of the link); and
  2. Multi-year Annual Accessibility Plan (at page 129 of the link). 

 Find out more starting on page 47 of the November 25, 2024 agenda.

Statutory Committee reports

Special Audit Committee, November 7, 2024

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • reviewed the Audit Committee Duties and Powers. Find out more starting on page 48 of the November 25, 2024 agenda.

Audit Committee, November 20, 2024

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • the audited financial statements reflect an in-year surplus of $8.7 million (revenue minus expenses) and a corresponding in-year surplus for Ministry of Education compliance reporting purposes of $5.4 million. The total accumulated surplus available for compliance is $16.6 million;
  • during the year, HPEDSB expended $21.1 million on capital asset acquisition/construction; and
  • Board members approved the Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending August 31, 2024.

Find out more starting on page 49 of the November 25, 2024 agenda.

Parent Involvement Committee, November 13, 2024

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • update from the Mental Health Team about the Together to Learn Parent Series;
  • update from the Curriculum Services Team about  Online Learning for Secondary Students;
  • update about Parent Reaching Out grants; 24 applications were approved totalling $23,000;
  • reviewed feedback from school councils about  Procedures 8 and 145; and
  • update from Director MacIver about creating the new the multi-year strategic plan.

Special Education Advisory Committee, October 24, 2024

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • updated about new specialized equipment allocation (SEA) directives from the Ministry of Education, which included an overview of the financial changes, challenges, focus and next steps to incorporate the changes;
  • update about implementing Policy/Program Memorandum 128: the Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct;
  • reminder that elections for the SEAC Chair and Vice-chair will occur at the November 28, 2024 meeting;
  • update about portfolios and initiatives that are occurring within Student Services;
  • shared SEAC sub-committee survey results and members chose a sub-committee of interest; and
  • provided members with a copy of the Student Services learning support coordinator portfolios.

Supervised Alternative Learning Committee

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • 45 students approved on November 6, 2024
  • 4 students approved on November 20, 2024

Advisory Committee reports

Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee, October 30, 2024

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • reviewed the committee Terms of Reference;
  • reviewed the Multi-Year Strategic Plan goals and phases for developing the new plan
  • reviewed Procedure 108: Process for Addressing Inquiries
  • reviewed Procedure 145: Interim Board of Conduct and School Codes of Conduct
  • reviewed the School Climate Survey goals, action steps and key areas of work for 2024-2025.

Student Voice Committee

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • congratulated trustees on their elected Board roles for the next year;
  • attendance at a student trustee conference in Toronto in early November;
  • student trustees are looking into creating a student senate; and
  • hosted a Student Voice Symposium last week for 70 students from each school with Grade 7-12 students. 

Multi-year Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee, November 11, 2024

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • update about activities to date, including highlights of the ThoughtExchange crowdsourcing consultation.

Chair's report/trustee sharing

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • attended a community meeting in North Hastings with Trustees Binder and Speck; 
  • attended the opening of Easthill Elementary School last week;
  • attended Grade 8 Night at Central Hastings School; 
  • Trustees Binder, Hambly and Robertson volunteered at the Mistletoe Magic event to support the Learning Foundation; 
  • participated in Bancroft Remembrance Day ceremonies and laid a wreath on behalf of students and staff;
  • extended best wishes to Principal Duane Wiltshire, North Hastings High School, as he is retiring this Friday; and
  • appreciation to Troy Maracle, Indigenous Coordinator for organizing and hosting the Indigenous Leads Gathering for all 72 school boards earlier this month in Toronto.

Director's report

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • Thank you to past chair Shannon Binder for two years of shepherding the Board and trustee Amanda Robertson for her year of service as vice-chair.
  • Congratulations to our Communications Team which recently won national awards through the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education:

    • A Coup de Coeur (which means a little something special), for the video A Day in the Life of an EA
    • Two Awards of Distinction for the comprehensive projects How to Become a Technological Education Teacher and Ray of Sunshine Recognition

    The Director attended the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11, 2024 at Trenton High School with Trustee Kandis Hambly and Communications Manager Kerry Donnell. The Director was reminded of how respectful and connected our students are to their community.
  • Participated in the Indigenous leads gathering. Over 435 people attended including Assistant Deputy Minister Claudine Munro. HPEDSB Indigenous lead Troy Maracle has organized this event for past 12 years. I acknowledge his leadership throughout the province.
  • Last week I was on the Lorne Brooker radio show and also spoke with Charity and Bill at 95.5 about the strategic plan consultation.
  • Hosted a meeting with community partners at Centennial Secondary School on October 30 and North Hastings High School on November 14.
  •  Had engaging conversations with members of the Kiwanis Club of Prince Edward County about school artifacts and our processes when schools amalgamate, and also met with the Rotary Club of Picton with Trustees Prinzen and Lewis.
  • Participated in the Student Voice Leadership Symposium last week.
  • Participated in the official opening of Easthill Elementary School on November 21, 2024. Thank you to the trustees who were able to attend. It is not often that we open a new school and it is something to be celebrated.

    The Director's Annual Report is presented each year at this time. While we have been focused on ensuring that students have the reading and math skills and are on a good track toward graduation and are seeing success, our system and schools are so much more than scores and numbers.

    HPEDSB staff bring together diverse groups of students, support them, nurture them and meet their needs in the classroom in various ways. They build community with students, family and amongst themselves to create caring and supportive environments for our students and families to be in each and every day.  

    The Annual Report highlights the incredible staff and students who really make HPEDSB a great place to be. Our incredible Communications team, Kerry Donnell and Mary Doyle, works closely with the schools and departments to bring this to light.  While each of you have a printed copy for reference, I will ask Kerry Donnell to come forward and share the report electronically so that you may enjoy the added elements available online.

Staff reports

2023-2024 Director's Annual Report

The Director's Annual Report showcases learning during the 2023-2024 school year. In it you will read about the significant strides we have made in providing inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students. Reports like this are possible due to the people behind the scenes. Thank you to the school and Education Centre staff who contributed article ideas and make us Proud2BeHPE.

Upcoming Public Board meetings

  • January 27, 2025
  • February 24, 2025
  • March 24, 2025
  • April 28, 2025
  • May 26, 2025
  • June 23, 2025 

For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications and Privacy Manager, 613-966-1170, extension 62354, or 613-847-0696, or [email protected]