These are highlights of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board public meeting held September 28, 2026.
Affirmation of Traditional Lands
Shannon Binder, Trustee, Southeast Hastings, offered a Land Affirmation.
Presentations: HPE Learning Foundation and Change Makers Challenge
The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation presentation celebrated the success of the Have You Heard? campaign in partnership with HPEDSB. The campaign exceeded the fundraising goal of $550,000. This means that every Kindergarten-Grade 3 classroom in HPEDSB will have a Soundfield system.
Thank you to the Learning Foundation (L to R): Chair of the Board Dr. Kari Kramp; HPELF Chair of the Board Nancy Roberts; HPELF Executive Director Kellie Brace; and HPEDSB Chief Executive Officer Katherine MacIver.
The Change Makers Challenge took place last spring. This presentation described how critical thinking was embedded to enhance STEM, innovation and Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Tyendinaga Public School's approach to the Change Makers Challenge. The school culture of feedback and empathy allows students to engage in deep critical thinking.
Find out more in the presentation starting on page 3 of the agenda.
Thank you to Tyendinaga Public School's Change Makers Challenge representatives (L to R): Chief Executive Officer Katherine MacIver; Marlie Hanna, student; Ashley Tait, Teacher; Lauren Mitchell, student; Amelia Lavender, student; Sade McNamara, student; Brian Hayes, Teacher; Kelly MacKay, Principal.
Governance and Policy Committee: September 21, 2026
Board members considered three recommendations:
- Policy Advisory Committee was approved with amendments;
- Policy 12: Trustee Advocacy and External Committees was approved and;
- Revisions to annual meeting dates were approved.
Find out more starting on page 21 of the agenda.
Physical Planning, Finance and Building Committee: September 8, 2026
Board members considered recommendations regarding
- access to surplus funds (not approved);
- a borrowing resolution (approved).
Find out more starting on page 91 of the agenda.
Student Voice
Highlights from this report included mention of Student Voice meetings at various high schools this month that the student trustees attended with Chief Executive Officer Katherine MacIver. The focus was citizenship. There are two more secondary school visits coming up in October.
Chair's report and trustee sharing
Highlights from this report included acknowledging school open houses and staffing reorganization.
Trustees shared care and support for the community following the shooting at the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville. Trustees also shared school events such as Terry Fox runs, open houses, cross country runs and fundraisers.
Chief Executive Officer report
Highlights from this report included a statement about the Sons of Jacob Synagogue shooting: As the Chief Executive Officer and representative of the senior team, we share in the shock and sorrow felt across Belleville and the Quinte region as a result of the shooting outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue. Our thoughts remain with all those affected. We continue our work with a focus on citizenship, the curriculum, Words Matter, and mental health and wellbeing supports.
Chief Executive Officer Katherine MacIver has been visiting secondary schools with the student trustees to meet with student leadership. Discussions of citizenship have been facilitated using the Ontario Citizenship Framework, with the addition of digital citizenship.
Chief Executive Officer Katherine MacIver has been invited to the Ontario Legislature for a reception for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Wednesday, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. HPEDSB schools will join in recognition and reflection.
Staff reports
Enrolment update
Current enrolment is 14,981 students. As a result of increase in elementary students, HPEDSB will additional elementary teachers and designated early childhood educators. Secondary schools are working through reengagement strategies.
Student and Family Support Office (SFSO)
The HPEDSB SFSO went live on September 1, 2026. Parents and guardians can submit inquiries via a Google form on the SFSO webpage, by email ([email protected]), or by phone (613-966-1170 ext. 62802).
Find out more on page 94 of the agenda.
MYSP 2025-2026 Year End Report
This report provided an end-of-year update on the implementation of the 2025-2030 Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP), building upon the mid-year monitoring shared in February 2026. Find out more on page 96 of the agenda.
Summer Learning and mental health supports
This report provided information about the Summer Learning and Mental Health supports offered to students during the summer of 2026.
- Summer mental-health initiatives provided direct support to students while also strengthening the resources available to educators, mental health staff and families. Community collaboration, student transportation, continued SSW support, specialized equine programming and investments in sustainable resources helped expand access and extend the impact beyond the summer period.
- Summer learning was made available for Kindergarten to Grade 12 students through virtual, travel-for-credit and in-person formats.
Find out more starting on page 108 of the agenda.
Rise and report from Committee of the Whole
The committee discussed one audit, three facility and one legal matter resulting in four recommendations.
Calendar of events
The dates for upcoming school events, committee and Board meetings are listed on page 113 of the agenda.
For more information, please contact Communications Services at [email protected] or 613-966-1170 ext. 62350