Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board

Board Meeting Highlights, May 25, 2026

Posted on 05/25/2026

These are highlights of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board public meeting held May 25, 2026.

Affirmation of Traditional Lands

Rachael Prinzen, Trustee, North Prince Edward County, offered a Land Affirmation.

Presentation: Tiered mental health supports for students

This presentation showcased the Tier 1 mental health supports for students. Tier 1 supports consider the well-being of all students through everyday classroom practices. 

The Student Wellness Committee at Centennial Secondary School is student-led with elementary and secondary school student members who are supported by staff representatives. 

Wellness activities have helped students connect with peers and feel included. 

Find out more in the presentation starting on page 3 of the agenda.

Thank you to the presenters pictured with school board officials (L to R): Katherine MacIver, Chief Executive Officer; Andrew Ross, Principal, Centennial Secondary School; Emma Gaylord, Nurse, South East Public Health; Carmen VanBrederode, Student; Kari Kramp, Chair of the Board; Jolie Brant, Mental Health Lead; Sophia Lantheir, Student; Rylee Oliver, Student; Isable Ferguson, Student; Maya Hollett, Student; Lijo Poovathumkal, Social Worker; and Ken Dostaler, Superintendent of Education.

Ontario Public School Boards' Association

Highlights from this report included the following: 

• May 2, 2026 meeting featured an AI presentation and mental health topics.
• The in-person annual meeting has shifted to online to align with recent legislation requirements.

Physical Planning, Finance and Building Committee: May 11, 2026

Board members approved the Multi-year Annual Accessibility Plan for the period September 2025 to August 2030. 

Find out more on page 22 of the agenda.

Governance and Policy Committee: May 19, 2026

Board members approved revised Policy 7: Policy Development and Review. 

Find out more on page 23 of the agenda.

Student Voice

Highlights from this report included the following:

• Participation at the Ontario Student Trustees' Association meeting last weekend.
• Words Matter Days at all schools; it was happy chaos as students celebrated.
• Theatre productions at secondary schools.
• Congratulations to track and field athletes.

Chair's report and trustee sharing

Highlights from this report included the following:

• Provincial update: Bill 101 Putting Students First Act recently received Royal Assent; formal designation of the Director of Education as Chief Executive Officer; CEO is now a member of the Board; strong mental health is a cornerstone of student achievement; fulfill duty of stewards of public trust; acknowledgement of the fall municipal and trustee elections; and candidate submissions are open until August 21, 2026.
• Harmony PS Fun Fair was last week with tremendous family and community involvement.
• Participation in Take Your MPP to School Day at Centennial SS and Marmora PS last week.
• Attendance at the Skills Ontario Competition in Toronto earlier this month.
• North Hastings HS is hosting an internet safety workshop for families tomorrow evening; Wolf Pack Culture Camp is coming up; Bird's Creek PS students hosted a successful Words Matter day; Hermon PS hosted a volunteer appreciation event.
• Participation in a Quinte Parents event last week.
• Congratulations to schools doing theatre performances and to student athletes doing soccer, track and field.

Chief Executive Officer report

Highlights from this report included the following:

• Bill 101 update was presented to the Governance and Policy Committee earlier this month.
• 25 students competed in 15 events at Skills Ontario and won 4 medals.
• Reinforced the Words Matter Day on May 20 and the variety that schools chose to participate and engage their communities. 
• Participation in the opening of the new track at Central Hastings School.
• Inspiring Excellence Awards were presented to 13 staff earlier this month.
• AI at HPE Information Night for families; the guiding principles and framework were shared, with questions and concerns raised by families. No access for K-8 students at this time; however, Grade 7 and 8 students who are at 7-12 and K-12 schools have guided access.
• EQAO assessments are underway now.
• The Grade 10 Careers course will include a Financial Literacy component that is required for graduation.
• The annual Retirement Dinner is in mid-June.

Leadership development update

This year, leadership development efforts have remained centred on enhancing leaders' capacities across various roles and responsibilities. The strategy includes superintendent visits, K-12 leadership meetings, management meetings and ongoing learning opportunities throughout the school year, all aligned with the strategic plan and anchored in intentional, precise learning opportunities using the lens ‘why this learning for these leaders at this time’?

Find out more on page 27 of the agenda.

Continuous improvement for students with special education needs

Over the past 24 months, Student Services has undertaken a rigorous review of protocols and digital infrastructure to ensure that students with complex medical and special education needs are supported in the safest, most enabling environments possible.

This report highlights key systemic improvements, with a particular focus on the transformative implementation of the RISE and SEAit digital platforms.  

Find out more on page 29 of the agenda.

Board members approved three construction tenders, as follows:

• Structural roofing replacement and learning commons renovation at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute in the amount of $1,797,000, awarded to Emmons and Mitchell Construction.
• Parking reconfiguration and site services at Susanna Moodie Elementary School in the amount of $1,475,461, awarded to Strong Bros. General Contracting.
• Roofing replacements at Hermon Public School in the amount of $509,828, awarded to Amherst Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. and at Bayside Secondary School in the amount of $655,500, awarded to Nortex Roofing Ltd.  

Find out more on page 33 of the agenda.

Calendar of events

The dates for upcoming school events, committee and Board meetings are listed page 34 of the agenda of the agenda. 

For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications and Privacy Manager, at 613-847-0696, or [email protected].