KPDSB Welcomes New Board of Trustees

November 16, 2022

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the KPDSB welcomed a new Board of Trustees.  We wish to congratulate Trustee Roger Griffiths who is the new Chair of the Board (was previously vice-chair of the board) and Trustee Dave Cornish who is Vice-Chair of the Board.  Both Trustee Griffiths and Trustee Cornish are in their third term of office as Trustees.  We are also pleased to welcome Denise Baxter to the position of Individual on the Board to Represent the Interests of Indigenous Students.

KPDSB Board of Trustees as of November 15, 2022

• Roger Griffiths – Chair
• Dave Cornish - Vice-Chair
• Denise Baxter - Individual on the Board to Represent the Interests of Indigenous Students (new to the Board)
• Marilyn Duncalfe
• Robert Kitowski (new to the Board)
• Gerald Kleist
• Malcolm (Rory) McMillan (new to the Board)
• Dave Penney (returning to the Board)
• Steve Poling (new to the Board)
• Dakota McDonald - Student Trustee
• Gracie Tucker - Indigenous Student Trustee

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KPDSB appoints Shawnda Norlock as Superintendent of Student Achievement and Equity

Media Release - November 30, 2022

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawnda Norlock as Superintendent of Student Achievement and Equity. 

Norlock started teaching with the KPDSB in 1999.  She has held various system responsibilities, including technology-enabled learning special assignment teacher, principal and vice-principal at Red Lake District High School and most recently central administrator in secondary program and achievement.  Norlock has led the student success and expanded and extended program portfolios system-wide.  She holds a BSc and BEd from the University of Manitoba and an MEd in Educational and Digital Technology from Ontario Tech University.

Norlock stated, "I am honoured to serve and support the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board in a senior leadership role.  I am proud to be part of this system, where we continue to put students first and provide innovative and equitable learning opportunities for all.  It is essential that students identify their strengths, see what they can achieve and what is possible, know that they can shape their lives, and know that we believe in them.  I look forward to continuing to learn and implement best practices and programs in our schools to advance student achievement and well-being and fostering creativity, innovation, and a culture of inclusion."

Christy Radbourne, Director of Education, added, "We are thrilled to add a skilled, experienced and lifelong KPDSB educator to our Senior Team.  Shawnda is a welcome addition who will bring a strong connection to KPDSB communities and an unwavering commitment to students, equity, and student achievement."

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KPDSB and CUPE Local 1939 Reach Tentative Settlement

Media Release - June 9, 2023

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is pleased to advise that an agreement on local terms and conditions for the 2023 to 2026 Collective Agreement has been reached with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1939 (representing Caretaking and Trades/Maintenance Staff).

Details of the agreement remain confidential until ratification by the Local and the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. 

Christy Radbourne, Director of Education, stated, “We are pleased to reach a positive outcome with our CUPE partners in education and look forward to continuing our productive relationship over the next four years.”

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KPDSB Chair and Vice-Chair Acclaimed, Trustee Appointments Announced

Media Release - December 13, 2017

Trustees of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, December 12, 2017, for the inaugural board meeting.

The Board of Trustees acclaimed Trustee Dave Penney as Chair and Trustee Cecile Marcino as Vice-Chair.

The following Trustee appointments were made:

• Trustee Barb Gauthier was appointed to the Executive Committee for the period of December 12, 2017 to April 13, 2018, and Trustee Dave Wilkinson was appointed to the Executive Committee for the period of April 23, 2018 to November 30, 2018. 

• Trustees Barb Gauthier, Roger Griffiths and George Seaton were appointed to the Audit and Finance Committees for a one year term. 

• Trustees Jennifer Kitowski and Gerald Kleist were appointed to the Indigenous Education Advisory Council (IEAC) for a one year term.  

• Trustees Lesley Barnes and Dave Wilkinson were appointed to the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for a one year term.  

• Trustees Cecile Marcino and Barb Gauthier were appointed to the Early Years Advisory Committee (EYAC) for a one year term. 

• Trustees Lesley Barnes and Michelle Guitard were appointed to the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) for a one year term. 

• Trustee Michelle Guitard was appointed to the Transportation Policy Committee for a one year term. 

• Trustee Jennifer Kitowski was appointed to the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) Board of Directors.

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KPDSB Welcomes New Trustee to Represent the Interests of Indigenous Students, Highlights Kindergarten Programming

Media Release - February 20, 2018

Trustees met at Dryden High School on Tuesday, February 13, for a regular board meeting. 

The February Kids Come First presentation titled ‘Kindergarten Program Report’ was received by Trustees.  Dawn-Marie Terry, Kindergarten Teacher, and Melissa Bradley, Early Childhood Educator (ECE), are one of the Kindergarten Teams at Open Roads Public School and they brought some of their former students to talk to the Trustees about their experiences in Kindergarten.  Trustees were pleased to hear the students talk about their inquiry based learning, including how their teachers encouraged them to explore and take their learning outside, and the importance of relationships in the Kindergarten programs.  For more information on our Kindergarten programs, please visit www.buddysystem.ca.  Kindergarten Registration Week for the KPDSB is February 26 to March 2 and all of our public schools are currently accepting registrations, both online at Buddy System, and in person at any of our schools.

Eric Bortlis was sworn in as Trustee to Represent the Interests of Indigenous Students.  Bortlis was sworn in by Director of Education, Sean Monteith, for a term ending on November 30, 2019.  Bortlis has served as Director of Professional Development for Teach for Canada and is currently Education Director for Lac Seul First Nation which represents the biggest education services agreement partner of all community partners and tribal councils with the KPDSB.  The Board of Trustees welcomed Bortlis and expressed their eagerness to working closely with him during his term.

Monteith stated “We welcome Eric to the Board and are excited to have a person with his experience and leadership working actively in multiple education settings in First Nation schools. We are very pleased to have such an active and competent leader in Indigenous Education on the Board.”

Caryl Hron, Superintendent of Education, and Sarah Stevenson, Director of Integrated Social Services for the Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) presented the Early Learning Partnership Report.  As the Ontario Ministry of Education works to create 100,000 more child care spaces, a focus on expanding child care and EarlyON programs into schools to provide better access to services for children and families has allowed the KPDSB and KDSB to continue to grow their partnership as both organizations work to support area families. 

Following successful renovations during the first round of funding, which included new child care spaces at both King George VI and Evergreen Public Schools in Kenora, as well as playground renovations at New Prospect Public School in Dryden and Sioux Mountain Public School in Sioux Lookout, the second round of funding to retrofit schools to accommodate both child care and EarlyON will be completed in three phases:

• Phase One – Dryden Area - During the first phase, child care programs from The Dryden Children’s Resource Centre were relocated to New Prospect and Open Roads Public Schools.  Open Roads Public School also had space renovated to create a new kitchen space to support the programming, while New Prospect will receive a new outdoor playground space (to be completed in the spring). 

• Phase Two – Sioux Lookout Area - During the second phase, child care programs from Norah Love Children’s Centre in Sioux Lookout will be relocated to Sioux Mountain Public School.  Renovations of classrooms at Sioux Mountain will be required to accommodate the additional programming, as well as renovations to the school’s existing kitchen, and the creation of a new outdoor playground space for the programs.

• Phase Three – Kenora Area - During the third phase, child care programs from Cameron Bay Children’s Centre in Kenora will be relocated to Evergreen Public School (Toddler Program) and Keewatin Public School (Preschool Program). 

Richard Hodgkinson, Principal of Dryden High School (DHS), introduced a group of teachers who recently participated in the first Teacher’s Tour in the region, put on by the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) through a partnership with Domtar.  The professional development opportunity was offered to teachers in late October.  The tour provided teachers with an opportunity to participate in classroom sessions as well as tour active harvest operations while participating in hands on activities.  Participants were then provided with teaching kits, activities and other materials that fit into the Ontario curriculum.  All of the teachers spoke positively of the experience, and saw connections for their students in the Forestry industry, from careers in trades, to science and technology.

Trustees approved the 2018-2019 School Year Calendar.  Following two rounds of community consultation, including a survey of families across the region, the calendar has a school start date of September 5, 2018 (historically school has started before Labour Day in the region).  The calendar will now be sent to the Ministry of Education for final approval.  To view the 2018-2019 School Year Calendar, and results of the survey, please click here.

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