This update provides highlights of the SCDSB Board Meeting held Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. 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 Simmons provided an update on behalf of the student trustees. Student Trustee Simmons shared that the student trustee elections for the 2025-26 school year occurred on Feb. 11, 2025, and reported that Maida Perry from Eastview Secondary School was elected to represent the North and East region, Klevin Kim from Bear Creek Secondary School was elected to represent the Central and South region, and Gabriel Carvalho from Banting Memorial High School was elected to represent the South and West region.
Student Trustee Simmons indicated that the incoming student trustees will be introduced at the Board meeting in March.
Trustee Tribute
Chair Powell presented members of Maple Ridge Secondary School Senior Girls’ Basketball Team with the Trustee Tribute. Chair Powell recognized the players and coaching staff for their extraordinary win at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championship.
Maple Ridge SS basketball team and coaches with Director Dawn Stephens
Report from the Closed Session of the Board in Committee of the Whole
The Board ratified the following recommendations taken in the closed session meeting of the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025:
- That the Board approve that the easement interest conveyed to the Township of Essa, identified as Part 1 in Appendix B for sanitary sewer service is not required for the Simcoe County District School Board’s purposes, as set out in Report No. CL-BF-D-1, New Angus elementary school – Easement Conveyance, dated Feb. 5, 2025.
- That the Board approve the renewal of the six lease agreements for the Simcoe Shores Secondary School Program and Learning Centres, as set out in Report No. CL-BF-D-2, Lease Renewals, dated Feb. 5, 2025.
Consent Agenda
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-4-a Business and Facilities
The Board approved the following motions:
- That the board approve that the revisions to Policy 3045 ─ Workplace Violence be referred back to the Business and Facilities staff to look for opportunities to strengthen the language and report back to the committee.
- That the Board approve revisions to Policy 3140 – Health and Safety, as set out in Appendix B of Report No. BF-D-2, Revisions to Policy 3140 – Health and Safety, dated Feb. 5, 2025.
D-5-a School Year Calendar 2025-26
The Board approved the following motion:
- That the Board approve the submission of the school year calendar for 2025-26 to the Ministry of Education for approval, as set out in Appendix A of Report No. D-5-a, School Year Calendar 2025-26, dated Feb. 26, 2025.
D-7-a Bus Cancellation Update
Peter McLean, Superintendent of Education, provided an update on bus cancellations in Simcoe County. Superintendent McLean shared information about the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium’s (SCSTC) process for notifying parents/guardians of bus delays and cancellations and noted that the SCSTC website is user-friendly and updated regularly with transportation updates. Superintendent McLean shared information on the number of days that buses were cancelled across Simcoe County this year and the process involved with making decisions about bus cancellations.
Notices of Motion for Next Meeting
- That Chair of the Board send another letter to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, outlining concerns regarding student nutrition programs, specifically asking the Minister to address the concern communicated in our previously sent letter, that new schools are not receiving funding, and that there are schools throughout the province who have spent many years waiting for funding, creating an inequitable situation throughout Ontario schools. The letter should also detail our concerns that funding has not increased to keep up with the rising cost of food, and that schools, while experiencing higher needs, are able to support students less and less due to limited funding. The letter will also include a request that representatives from the SCDSB have the opportunity to meet with the Ministry to discuss the many concerns involved in student nutrition funding.
Reports/Updates from Staff
Corry Van Nispen, Superintendent of Business and Facility Services, reminded trustees of the upcoming professional development session on budget and asked trustees to submit any questions they may have in advance in order to tailor the session accordingly.
Dawn Stephens, Director of Education recognized Pink Shirt Day and indicated that students and staff across the system participated by wearing pink and learning about the anti-bullying initiative.
Director Stephens shared a message of condolence acknowledging the passing of former Superintendent of Education, Michael Giffen. Director Stephens noted that members of the senior team wore bow ties to the Board meeting in honour of Superintendent Giffen. Trustee Lloyd and Trustee Rafeek provided messages of condolence. Trustee Rafeek included remarks on behalf of former trustee Rob North.
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]