This update provides highlights of the SCDSB Board Meeting held Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. For agendas, reports, and items addressed at the meeting visit the Board and Committee Meetings page of the SCDSB website. For a video recording of the Board Meeting visit the SCDSB YouTube channel.
Report from Student Trustees
Student Trustee Lad provided a report on behalf of the student trustees. Student Trustee Lad stated that the Student Senate meeting held virtually on Wednesday, Oct. 23, was well attended with representation from students from across the board. Student Trustee Lad indicated that discussions were focused on the student experience from the beginning of the school year until present and noted that schools are reporting that Grade 9 students have transitioned well to secondary school. Student Trustee Lad also shared that Student Senate discussed safety and the efforts of staff, including the many events and initiatives intended to create a sense of belonging. Student Trustee Lad shared that students reported an overwhelming sense of safety and pride in their schools.
Report from the Closed Session of the Board in Committee of the Whole
There were no items arising from the closed session meeting of the Committee of the Whole.
Consent Agenda
All recommended actions outlined in the Board Meeting Reports were approved by the SCDSB Board of Trustees during public session of the regular meeting of the Board.
D-5-a Appointment to the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) Safe Schools Committee
- That the Board appoint Trustee Strachan to serve as a voting member on the Safe Schools Committee for the period ending, January 2026, as set out in Report No. D-5-a, Appointment to the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) Safe Schools Committee, dated Oct. 23, 2024.
- That the Board appoint Trustee Connors to serve as a voting member on the Safe Schools Committee for the period ending, January 2026, as set out in Report No. D-5-a, Appointment to the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) Safe Schools Committee, dated Oct. 23, 2024.
D-5-b Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium Annual General Meeting Designated Voting Member and Alternate Voting Member
- That the Board appoint Trustee Strachan to serve as the designated voting member for the Nov. 21, 2024 SCSTC AGM, as set out in APPENDIX A of Report No. D-5-b, Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium Annual General Meeting Designated Voting Member and Alternate Voting Member, dated Oct. 23, 2024.
- That the Board appoint Vice-chair Rafeek to serve as the designated alternate voting member for the Nov. 21, 2024 SCSTC AGM, as set out in APPENDIX A of Report No. D-5-b, Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium Annual General Meeting Designated Voting Member and Alternate Voting Member, dated Oct. 23, 2024.
D-7-a 2024-25 Start of School Year Enrolment
Corry Van Nispen, Superintendent of Business and Facility Services, and Rick Hodgkinson, Manager of Admissions and Enrolment, provided a report on enrolment in SCDSB schools. Manager Hodgkinson noted that enrolment has increased by 7.3 per cent since 2020.
E-3 Notices of Motion for Next Meeting
That the Board approve the following motion:
- That following the same mechanism used for the school climate survey, that students of the SCDSB be asked questions with equivalent content of those listed below via anonymous thought exchange or other mechanism used in the earlier student climate survey:
1. Do you feel safe in your school?
2. Please describe what makes you feel unsafe at school?
3. Please describe what makes you feel safe at school?
4. Please share your thoughts and ideas on how the SCDSB can make you feel safer at school.
That the Board receive the results of this follow-up to the school climate survey at the March 2025 board meeting.
Reports/Updates from Staff
John Dance, Director of Education, provided an update on some of the activities and special events that occurred throughout the month. Director Dance spoke to the Football Festival at Maple Ridge Secondary School, Georgian Bay District Secondary School hosting Minister of Education Jill Dunlop for a learning session which included a question-and-answer period, and the Primary Fun Run at the Education Centre with over 1,000 student participants. Director Dance also shared that the Inclusion Excellence Awards from Empower Simcoe were presented to Trustee Rafeek and Executive Assistant Tina Bazuk.
SCDSB Celebrates
The SCDSB would like to highlight initiatives that are taking place in our schools that link directly to the SCDSB Strategic Priorities. View this month’s video feature.
Visit www.scdsb.on.ca for information about future Board and Committee meetings.
Information:
Sarah Kekewich, Manager of Communications
705-734-6363 x11328 or [email protected]