These are highlights from the public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held June 23, 2025.
Acknowledgement of Traditional Lands
Matthew Shalla, Student Trustee, North Hastings High School, offered a Land Affirmation.
Presentation: Foundations for the Future: Empowering Early Readers through Assess and Instruction at V.P. Carswell Elementary School
This presentation featured students and staff from V.P. Carswell Elementary School. As a K-6 school, the educators focused on developing common language to discuss and meaningfully analyze student data to inform instructional practices. Together they asked the question: What are the most impactful actions we can take when our current practices are not working?
The team used Acadience for consistent assessment practices, clear and accessible data, and purposeful, goal-driven collaboration and conversations.
Thank you to the presenters: students Adalyn, Courtney and Ben; Principal Bill Launderville; and Teachers Ashley Elliott and Laura Seeger-Kerr.
Pictured L to R: Principal Bill Launderville; Learning Support Teacher Ashley Elliott; students Adalyn, Ben and Courtney; and Kindergarten Teacher Laura Seeger-Kerr.
External committee reports
Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA)
Highlights from this report included the following:
- At the OPSBA Annual Meeting held on Friday, June 13 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, members voted to fill a vacancy for the role of 1st Vice-president for the remainder of the 2024-2026 term of office. Congratulations to Jan Johnstone from Bluewater District School Board who was the successful candidate out of six nominations.
- Members received the OPSBA Annual Report which is available on the OPSBA website. There were four policy resolutions from member boards regarding advocacy for more student success and well-being resources, advocacy for investments to ensure new school builds are low carbon or carbon emissions free, advocating for funding to offset costs associated with the procurement of goods and services, and advocating for mandated criminal history checks for school board members. Advocating for procurement costs was approved with the remaining items moved to review and discussion within the education program and policy development working groups.
- At the Eastern Region meeting, attended by Trustees Robertson and Lewis, Susan Humphries from Renfrew County DSB was acclaimed as regional chair and Trustee Binder was acclaimed as vice chair. Trustee Robertson was acclaimed as representative on the Policy Development Work Group along with Michel LaBonte from Upper Canada DSB and Jennifer Jennekens from Ottawa-Carleton DSB as alternate. Following an election, John McAllister from Upper Canada DSB and Trustee Binder were selected as representatives on the Education Program Work Group with Karen MacGregor from Limestone DSB as alternate.
Governance and Policy Committee: June 16, 2025
Highlights from this meeting are listed on page 33 of the agenda.
In addition, Board members approved the dates for the 2025-2026 Board and committee meetings.
Physical Planning, Finance and Building Committee: June 2, 9, 16, 2025
Highlights from these meetings are listed on page 46 of the agenda.
In addition, Board members approved three recommendations relating to the following:
- various borrowing resolution amendments in order to meet current capital expenditures of the
board;
- a request for quote the Green Space Project at Central Hastings
School, Phase 2, to 1549791 Ont. Inc. o/a Al White Landscaping &
Excavating in the amount of $2,357,330.10; and
- the
2025-2026 budget. Refer to the Budget Book on page 55 of the agenda.
Audit Committee: June 23, 2025
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Board members approved the External Auditor's Plan for the 2024-2025 fiscal year end.
Director's Performance Appraisal Ad Hoc Committee: June 23, 2025
Highlights from this meeting are listed on page 69 of the agenda.
In addition, Board members approved the
2025-2026 Director’s Performance Appraisal and presented Director MacIver
with a management letter effective June 23, 2025.
Advisory committee reports
Student Voice
Highlights from this report included the following:
- made remarks about the student trustee's term on the Board and welcomed the incoming student trustees;
- provided a recap of the year: no smoking/no vaping promotions for students; regular updates at Board meetings; monthly meetings with students for input on ideas and initiatives; organizing and hosting student leadership symposiums; and much more;
- thanked various staff and trustees for their guidance, support and leadership development.
Chair's report
Chair Kari Kramp provided the following updates:
- With regard to the cost of legal services related to Integrity Commissioner investigations, the cost for code of conduct breaches from 2024-2025 to date is $110,318. The Chair expressed disappointment that resources are being spent in this way when they could be going directly to supporting students.
- The new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan has been launched. It is rooted in the commitment to students and every decision made must reflect that.
- Congratulations to Aiden Crawford, Eastside Secondary School who wrapped up his high school athletics career by earning Silver in Javelin and Bronze in Shot Put at OFSAA.
- Congratulations to students in the Central Hastings Community Integration Program and Coach Pascoe, for bringing home a Bronze medal in Floor Hockey at this year's Special Olympics.
- Congratulations to all graduating students at secondary schools and Quinte Adult Education.
- I've had the chance to attend several retirement gatherings over the past few weeks and have been touched by the heartfelt stories and strong sense of camaraderie at HPEDSB. On behalf of the Board, thank you to all of our retiring staff for your years of service and commitment.
Presentation to outgoing student trustees
Kari Kramp, Chair of the Board and Katherine MacIver, Director of Education acknowledged the outgoing student trustees and presented them with a memento of their time on the Board.
Best wishes to the outgoing student trustees. Pictured L to R: Chair of the Board Kari Kramp; Vice-chair of the Board Stacey Lewis; Student Trustees Matthew Shalla, North Hastings High School and Indigenous Student Trustee; Julia Cranshaw, Eastside Secondary School; Alisha Makkar, Centennial Secondary School; and Director of Education Katherine MacIver.
Trustee sharing
- expressed congratulations to student Jacob Vestervelt, Centennial Secondary School, for his leadership in creating safe spaces at school and in the community;
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mentioned the Learn to Swim program for students at Bird's Creek Public School who were able to go to Belleville this year;
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participation at the annual Retirement Dinner and Celebration;
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trustees will be going to high school graduation ceremonies and Grade 8 year-end celebrations;
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expressed appreciation to the senior team and all staff for their hard work this year.
Director's report
Highlights from this report included the following:
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expressed appreciation to trustees for the open conversation and dedication to supporting students;
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Gold medals won by HPEDSB students at the Canada Wide Science Fair;
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improvement in Reading at elementary schools;
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school participation in Rescue Readers, a partnership with the Humane Society; and
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1,313 combined years of service of 58 HPEDSB staff who retired.
Staff reports
Consultation report: Student Achievement Plan
This report provided a summary of feedback from School Council chairs and Parent Involvement
Committee (PIC) members regarding Student Action Plan (SAP) implementation and alignment to Ministry of Education
priorities. The report also identified key partner-informed recommendations for action and metrics
design across the three SAP pillars:
Achievement in Core Academic Areas; Preparation for Future Pathways; and Student Engagement and Well-being. Find out more on page 70 of the agenda.
Rise and report from Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole met in closed session to discuss three human resource matters, and to consider an appeal of the determinations regarding a breach of the HPEDSB Members’ Code of Conduct and associated sanctions. Four recommendations came forward to the public session as a result.
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