Board Meeting Update, November 21, 2022

Board Meeting Update, November 21, 2022
Posted on 11/21/2022
board meeting update graphic

This update provides a summary of the organizational public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held November 21, 2022 livestreamed (the recorded version will be available within 24 hours). It is an unofficial summary of the meeting; official minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Lands

Recited by Erica Charlton, Trustee, Belleville/Thurlow: As Trustees for Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and as settlers to this land, we acknowledge and honour the land on which we reside, occupy and meet as part of the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat and Anishinabek people. These Indigenous Nations agreed to mutual sharing obligations and responsibilities as stewards of the land and water. Today these responsibilities and obligations extend to all Peoples. These lands are steeped in rich Indigenous history, traditions and modern cultures that are proud and vibrant. The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board supports and is committed to the stewardship of the land, and the responsibilities that we hold to ensure learning, education programs and services support all staff and students.

Roll call and declarations of conflicts of interest

All current Board members were present in person and declared no conflicts of interest.

Report from the Governance and Policy Committee

Next steps in filling a Board member vacancy

Board members approved a process to replace a trustee vacancy, which will involve inviting applications and holding interviews.

Following the inaugural meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board on November 15, 2022, a written resignation was received from Kristen Parks. Parks was acclaimed for the City of Quinte West Municipal Election for the electoral area of Sidney and Frankford. Parks was absent at the inaugural meeting and did not take the oath of office. Therefore, the Board member for Sidney and Frankford is vacant, and is now subject to Policy 3-H: Filling Vacancies on the Board (page 20). Find out more starting on page 13 of the November 21, 2022 agenda.

Membership on committees for the remainder of the school year

Board members approved membership for standing, statutory, advisory, administrative and external committees as listed below. Find out more starting on page 14 of the November 21, 2022 agenda.

2022-2023 committee meeting dates

Board members approved dates for various committee meetings to the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Find out more starting on page 17 of the November 21, 2022 agenda.

Trustee representation on the Ontario Public School Boards' Association

Two representatives were elected to represent HPEDSB at meetings of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association: Trustee Amanda Robertson and Trustee Shannon Binder as the alternate. Find out more starting on page 21 of the November 21, 2022 agenda.

Election of committee chairs and vice-chairs 

Chairs and vice-chairs were elected for two committees:

  • Physical Planning, Finance and Building: Trustee Kari Kramp, Chair and Erica Charlton, Vice-chair.
  • Student Learning, Well-being and Equity: Trustee Stacey Lewis, Chair and Trustee Ron Speck, Vice-chair.

Report from the Special Education Advisory Committee

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) membership

Board members approved local association and member-at-large appointments to the Special Education Advisory Committee for the four-year term of the Board, effective November 2022. Find out more starting on page 23 of the November 21, 2022 agenda.

Report from the Student Voice Committee

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • seeking input from students on topics of interest for future Student Voice meetings; and
  • each student trustee has been assigned a group of schools to connect with.

Report from the Director of Education

Highlights from this report included the following:

  • acknowledged that schools were open for in-person learning today due to the CUPE strike not happening;
  • high absenteeism rates at schools for students and staff for various reasons; reminders about proper hand hygiene, coughing/sneezing into one's elbow; wearing masks is recommended;
  • trustees are welcome to attend school events when invited by the principal; and
  • a donation of $14,400 from Walmart Trenton to Prince Charles PS (Trenton) for its Food for Learning program; the funds were raised through customer donations at checkout.

Upcoming school events

Various school events are happening during the remainder of November and December 2022. Find out more starting on page 25 of the November 21, 2022 agenda.

 Upcoming meetings

  • Special Education Advisory Committee: December 1, 2022 and December 15, 2022 at 4:00 PM
  •  Governance and Policy Committee: December 5, 2022 at 3:00 PM
  • Public Board Meeting December 12, 2022 at 7:00 PM

A full list of committee and meetings dates/times is online.

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