These are highlights of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board public meeting held February 23, 2026.
Affirmation of Traditional Lands
Chair Dr. Kari Kramp, Central Hastings, offered a Land Affirmation.
Presentation: Advancing Indigenous Education and Reconciliation
This presentation explained the ways in which HPEDSB is advancing Indigenous education. Staff provide wraparound support to students and families, with a strong focus on building relationships. This is complemented by connecting with school administrators to set them up for success with community partners. In addition staff assist students and families with school transitions, attendance and re-engagement.
Community partners for Indigenous education include Mohawk Family Services, Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child Family Services; and Enyonkwa'nikonhriyo:hake Good Minds Program.
Thank you to presenters (L to R): Dr. Kari Kramp, Chair of the Board; Troy Maracle, Indigenous Education Lead; Brittany Beckett, Parent; Lucy Baptiste, Student; Summer Bertrand, Indigenous Education Coordinator; Cassandra Thompson, Indigenous Student Success Coach Grade 7 & 8; and Erica Charlton, Vice-chair of the Board.
Ontario Public School Boards' Association update
Highlights from this report included the following:
- The OPSBA Education Program Work Group met virtually February 4, 2026 and members received a delegation from Dan Koenig, the CEO of EQAO. The presentation highlighted the latest results in numeracy and literacy trends, and shared support resources to help partners understand the results. Of note, statistics can now be broken down between urban, rural, large and small boards.
- Math results are showing an upward trend. Priority schools are also showing improvements; literacy is showing high stable results.
- Webinars, user guides and sample tests are available for educators, along with sample test guides for parents.
- Mr. Koenig met with the Minister of Education who believes that all students should be achieving the provincial standard.
Governance and Policy Committee: February 17, 2026
Board members approved two recommendations, one to approve the revised Policy 13: Student Discipline Process; another to provide advance notification that the By-law and Governance Directive 7.3 will be amended at the March 30, 2026 Regular Board Meeting.
Find out more on page 26 of the agenda.
Physical Planning, Finance and Building Committee: February 9, 2026
Board members approved the 2025-2026 Long-term Capital and Accommodation Plan.
Find out more on page 38 of the agenda.
Student Voice
Highlights from this report included the following:
- attendance at a COSSA Wrestling competition;
- participation in a traditional Indigenous basket-weaving event last week;
- an update about the success of three HPEDSB improv teams (Eastside, North Hastings and Prince Edward) that participated in competitions held in Kingston recently;
- Student Voice visits at all secondary schools recently; and
- a survey sent to schools about how to improve student connections.
Chair's report and trustee sharing
Highlights from this report included the following:
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The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board (HPEDSB) acknowledges the Application for Judicial Review filed by Trustee Rachael Prinzen regarding Code of Conduct determinations and associated sanctions. The decision of this Review, following the hearing today, is being reserved and no specific timeline was provided.
Our primary commitment remains student achievement and well-being, as outlined in our new Multi-Year Strategic Plan, Vision, and Mission. Our actions continue to be guided by the Education Act, as well as HPEDSB policies, including Policy 2: Governance and our bylaws.
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Inspired by the excellence and spirit of the Olympic Games, we share a deep pride in our Canadian identity and the remarkable grit shown by our Canadian Olympians: the skiing, the snowboarding, the figure skating the curling, the hockey. Our women and men’s hockey teams made us so proud! And as a connection, I am so proud and by our own HPEDSB student-athletes.
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Death of community member Doug Detlor who drove a school bus for many years and who immensely cared about students.
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An event at North Hastings High School on March 23; Olympic events at Bird's Creek Public School; an upcoming French carnival at Hermon Public School.
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Attendance at a play day at Harmony Public School earlier this month.
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Shout-out to schools that will be hosting a para-Olympian who will be visiting in the coming nights.
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Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser for Grace Inn Shelter this weekend.
Director's report
Highlights from this report included the following:
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Extended heartfelt sympathy to a fellow school district in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia which experienced unimaginable tragedy on February 10, 2026. Our thoughts remain with the families, school staff and the community.
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Met with 98 students at seven schools for Student Voice meetings.
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Regional Skills Competition held at Loyalist College today in advance of the provincial competition in May.
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Inclement weather has been a concern this winter and it has an affect on student learning. If students are unable to get to schools on such days, they can keep engaged in school work through Google Classroom, catching up on assignments, or contacting the school. This is a change in culture and one that can have a positive outcome for students.
Advancing Indigenous Education
One of the priorities of the First Nations Metis and Inuit Policy Framework is to increase Indigenous
student success. As a board we have a dedicated Indigenous Student Success coach to support
each of our secondary schools. This highly successful model includes supporting the grade 7 & 8
students where they are present in the secondary school.
Additionally, the Indigenous Student Success coordinator is actively involved in supporting
Indigenous students and families across all elementary schools. There is constant collaboration with
Student Services, Student Success teachers and administrators. The on-going collaboration
between schools, families, students and various community partners, supports students in their
attendance, achievement and well-being.
Find out more on page 165 of the agenda.
Safe Schools report
The Safe Schools program is a specialized alternative learning framework to
support students on long term suspension, or those who have been formally expelled from the
school board. By utilizing an intervention-based model, the program prioritizes experiential and
hands-on learning to foster positive student conduct and academic engagement. The program
implements personalized learning plans that address specific social-emotional barriers.
Find out more on page 166 of the agenda.
Census update
The Ministry of Education requires school boards to conduct student censuses to collect
identity-based data—including race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and
disability—to address barriers to equity, inclusion and student success. This aggregate data is
used to identify and reduce systemic racism and improve student well-being. The data collection is
driven by the Anti-Racism Act and the Ontario Education Equity Action Plan. The Student Census
is an opportunity to honour students' voices and learn more about their school experiences in order
to be responsive to their needs.
The This is Me in HPE 2026 census maintains data consistency by keeping the same
questions with minor refinements from the 2021-2022 census to ensure data continuity. The survey
is confidential and only system level aggregated data is reported. There are three census versions, one for JK-3, one for 4-6 and one 7-12. The JK-3 census will be completed at
home by families; and Grades 4-12 will be completed during school time.
The This is Me in HPE 2026 Census timelines will be Wednesday, March 25 to Thursday, April 2,
2026.
Find out more on page 168 of the agenda.
School Year Calendar update
Board members approved the dates for the 2026-2027 school year calendar. The recommendation incorporated feedback from public consultations held from January 23 to February 9, 2026. Now that Board approval has been received, the calendar will be submitted to the Ministry of Education for final approval.
Find out more on page 169 of the agenda.
Mid-year Strategic Plan update
This report synthesized key data, staff actions and outcomes to demonstrate
that the system is intentionally driving the Board’s identified priorities through precise monitoring
and accountability measures. HPEDSB is transitioning from strategic
intent to measurable system-wide impact through evidence-based practice and rigorous
monitoring.
Find out more on page 171 of the agenda.
Rise and report from Committee of the Whole
Three reports were received at the closed Committee of the Whole meeting on February 23, 2026: a technology-related update; a human resources update; a report from the closed Audit Committee meeting with a recommendation.
Board members approved the appointment of Rick Helman to the Audit Committee for a three-year term commencing June 3, 2026.
Calendar of events
The dates for upcoming school events, committee and Board meetings are listed on page 177 of the agenda.
Notice of Motion
That Tri-Board Transportation be directed to cancel busing contracts pertinent to Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board with September 2026 implementation date and that new Requests for Proposals be issued with priority being given to student safety and conforming to the province of Ontario legislation giving priority to Ontario companies.
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