These are highlights of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board public meeting held March 30, 2026.
Affirmation of Traditional Lands
Ernie Parsons, Trustee, Sidney and Frankford, offered a Land Affirmation.
Presentation: Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities
This presentation was by a team from North Hastings High School who described the ways they are supporting students with Learning Disabilities. A Learning Disability is defined as a specific neurodevelopmental disorder that affects
learning and academic skills, such as reading, writing and math. It affects individuals with
average to above-average intelligence, where academic achievement is inconsistent with their
abilities, or maintained only through high effort.
In Grades 7 and 8, students with Learning Disabilities are being supported through Math Matters; Knowledgehook online math; and using materials like cuisenaire rods and integer tiles.
In Grade 9, mathematics classrooms are actively using white boards and visual classroom supports; and accessing tools such as
calculators and rulers.
Next steps include continuing the team approach; using specific strategies based on individual needs; and extending learning through professional development.
Find out more on page 3 of the agenda.
Thank you to presenters from North Hastings High School pictured with senior staff and trustees (L to R, back): Katherine MacIver, Director of Education; Dr. Kari Kramp, Chair of the Board; Angela Harvey, Principal; Nina Lambe, Teacher; Erica Charlton, Trustee; (front) Kendra Kilpatrick, Teacher; Katherine Kuczera, Vice-principal; and Leaf Worsley, Teacher.
Ontario Public School Boards' Association
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Trustees have received the minutes from the virtual Board of Directors meeting held Saturday, February 28, 2026.
- Further to that meeting, which featured a robust discussion about restructuring the OPSBA Board, voting members met again on March 12, voting in favour of the restructure and reducing the Board of Directors to 19 from 52, comprised of regional chairs and vice-chairs.
- The next regional meeting is May 2, 2026, with the location and host Board to be determined.
- The expectation is that robust group discussions will take place at these meetings to be shared at the OPSBA table by our representatives.
Governance and Policy Committee: March 23, 2026
Board members approved five recommendations about by-law changes; revised Policy 16: Selection of the Director; a letter to the Coalition for Healthy School Food; designation of low population municipalities for the purposes of trustee distribution; and election of nine trustees in accordance with legislation.
Find out more on page 21 of the agenda.
Student Voice
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Improv teams from Eastside Secondary and Prince Edward Collegiate are going to the national competition in Ottawa.
- Student Census is live now and all students are encouraged to complete it.
- Spring Student Voice Conference on April 15, 2026; one student trustee will be elected that day to replace one who is graduating in June.
Chair's report and trustee sharing
Highlights from this report included the following:
- Provided a legal update about a recent ruling in favour of HPEDSB in connection to two code of conduct breaches by Trustee Prinzen. Trustee Prinzen has filed an appeal.
- Trustees participated in an AI learning session this afternoon.
- Two upcoming events: Inspiring Excellence Awards on May 7, 2026 and Retirement Celebration on June 11, 2026.
- Performance of Matilda Junior on May 13 and 14, 2026 at Centennial Secondary School.
- Upcoming Quinte Regional Science and Technology Fair. Trustee Parsons will be a judge and has done so for 52 years!
- Math Night with Doug Duff at Harmony Public School this evening.
- Art Exhibition in Bancroft featuring student artwork.
- A visit to the Youth Wellness Hub to see learning in action.
- Upcoming wellness event hosted by North Hastings High School.
- Hermon Public School will be hosting a dinosaur museum visit.
Director's report
Highlights from this report included the following:
- We are committed to emphasizing school attendance and learning during these last few months of the school year.
- The provincial budget was announced last week, which means the technical papers for school boards will be coming soon.
- Literacy and numeracy are continued focus areas.
- Met with representatives from Bancroft about the Words Matter campaign.
- Regional skills competitions have happened and some students will be competing at the provincial event in May.
Supporting students with Learning Disabilities
In HPEDSB, 3% of current students are formally identified with a Learning Disability, defined as a specific neurodevelopmental disorder that affects learning and academic skills, such as reading, writing and math. It affects individuals with average to above-average intelligence, where academic achievement is inconsistent with their abilities, or maintained only through high effort.
Statistically, there is a high probability that this percentage of students is actually larger, as many individuals with Learning Disabilities are undiagnosed. In fact, the Learning Disability Association of Ontario (LDAO) reports that 7% of the population has identified or unidentified LDs.
Through ongoing data analysis, an achievement gap has been identified between students with
Learning Disabilities and students without special education needs. This is evident through
EQAO, student achievement, and credit accumulation data.
Project TeachAbility is underway. It consists of three days of professional learning supported by key internal and
external partners including the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO) and the Psychological Services team.
Next steps are to build the capacity of schools to support the
achievement of students with Learning Disabilities; consider applying for more grant funding to continue the learning in Project TeachAbility; and conduct ongoing monitoring and analysis of data to affirm, adjust, adopt, or abandon practices to ensure
improved outcomes for all students, especially those with special education needs.
Find out more on page 40 of the agenda.
Early reading screening mid-year update
HPEDSB is in the second year implementing Acadience Reading, which is used to screen students for risk of early reading difficulties. It consists of a series of brief measures that indicate a student’s fluency with essential early literacy skills.
All Year 2 Kindergarten to Grade 2 students are screened in the fall. Students who do not meet reading benchmarks in the fall screening are required to be screened again mid-year. While the increase in screening is encouraging, a concerning data point is the continued marked decrease in the number of Year 2 Kindergarten students meeting benchmark from beginning-of-year to middle-of-year. This decline underscores the need for targeted support to strengthen foundational reading instruction in the Kindergarten program.
Find out more on page 42 of the agenda.
Math Achievement Action Plan update
The Math Achievement Action Plan (MAAP) aims to improve student learning and enhance mathematics achievement across all schools.
To promote impactful practices, HPE offers learning opportunities for educators, support staff and administrators, including classroom visits, student work analysis and reflection on instructional strategies. Learning partners/coaches support strengthening math content knowledge and confidence to use high-impact instructional practices.
System-wide use of common resources like HPE Math Matters, MathUP and Knowledgehook has strengthened foundational math skills across strands. This has boosted teacher confidence and students' ability to effectively use tools and models (e.g., number lines, partS-whole models, tables, graphs) to represent thinking, fostering conceptual understanding and practical application.
Find out more on page 44 of the agenda.
Response to motion: Rationale for procedural ruling
This report provided Board members with information regarding the transportation motion brought forward at the February 23, 2026 Board meeting. The report documents the procedural and legal issues identified and previously shared by the Chair with the mover, Trustee Parsons.
Find out more on page 50 of the agenda.
Rise and report from Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole met this evening and one legal matter was discussed.
Calendar of events
The dates for upcoming school events, committee and Board meetings are listed on page 46 of the agenda.
Correspondence
A letter from the Minister of Education about trustee meeting attendance can be viewed on page 48 of the agenda.
Notice of motion
That the Ministry of Education be requested to take control of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and appoint a supervisor for the Board.
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