Bluewater District School Board

Bluewater's Board Meeting Highlights - June 17, 2025 page

Board Meeting Highlights - June 17, 2025

Board Meeting Highlights - June 17, 2025
Posted on 06/17/2025
Board Meeting Highlights graphic depicting BWDSB logo and Education CentreBoard Meeting Highlights graphic depicting BWDSB logo and Education Centre

Excellence in Education – Awards of Excellence
Trustees recognized the 2025 Awards of Excellence recipients from each ‘family of schools’ for their outstanding contributions in Bluewater District School Board. From breakfast and nutrition programs, to school events, well-being initiatives, and classroom support, the following community members were celebrated for their ongoing support of student success and well-being.

Bruce Peninsula District School /
Peninsula Shores District School Family of Schools....................Jean Kirby
Georgian Bay Community School Family of Schools...................Jan Schultz
Grey Highlands Secondary School Family of Schools...................Crystal Tyler
John Diefenbaker Senior School Family of Schools.....................Angela Renaud
Kincardine District Senior School Family of Schools....................Jen McKellar
Owen Sound District Secondary School Family of Schools............Katie Henrich
Saugeen District Senior School Family of Schools.......................Krissy Smit
Walkerton District Community School Family of Schools..............Heather VanDerHeide

Policy / By-Law Update
The following items were approved:
  • Bluewater District School Board Procedural By-Laws, as revised for system use, effective September 1, 2025
  • board policy BP 1402-D “Electronic Meetings (Board and Committee)”, as revised for system use
  • board policy BP 1110-D “Trustee Vacancy”, as revised for system use
  • rescind board policy BP 7330-D “Office Support – Schools”
Business Committee Update / 2025 – 2026 Budget Passed
The report from the meeting held on June 3, 2025 included the following:
  • revenue, expenses, and reserve contributions for 2025 – 2026
  • report outlining signing authority on the disposition or purchase of land from June 27 through to September 2, 2025
Trustees approved the 2025 – 2026 Budget in the amount of $299,099,413 in revenues, $298,723,601 in expenses, and $375,812 in net reserve contributions.

Approval was also provided to delegate authority to the director of education and superintendent of business services and treasurer to sell or purchase land for the period of June 27 through to September 2, 2025.

Notice of Motion
The Notice of Motion brought forward by Vice-Chair Jan Johnstone at the June 3, 2025 Committee of the Whole Board Meeting was approved:

Whereas, motion number 24.09.239 was approved at the September 17, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Board as follows:

Whereas, good governance practices are important for the Bluewater District School Board, be it RESOLVED,
THAT ALL PUBLIC COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BOARD MEETINGS AND REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE BOARD BE RECORDED AND POSTED ON THE WEBSITE FOR PUBLIC VIEWING, AND
THAT THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BOARD IN-CAMERA MEETINGS BE RECORDED AND KEPT PRIVATELY.


Whereas, the Bluewater District School Board Procedural By-Laws have been revised in response to Ontario Regulation (O. Reg) 463/97: “Electronic Meetings and Attendance” and in order to align with these by-law revisions, be it

Resolved, That the phrase “Committee of the Whole Board” be replaced with “Governance Standing Committee” wherever it appears in motion number 24.09.239.

Student Senate Report
Student Trustee Hayden Powell shared the final Student Senate update of the school year with details on secondary examinations and fun days to help students prepare, recent Relay for Life events in support of cancer research, prom, OFSAA lacrosse at Owen Sound District Secondary School, and the Hoops for Hope basketball tournament in honour of Olivia Rourke at Walkerton District Community School.

Provincial, National, and International Award Recognition 2024 – 2025
Students and staff who received provincial and national awards over the past school year were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments.

Multi-Year Strategic Plan Priorities Update 2024 – 2025
An in-depth overview was provided on the strategies and initiatives of Bluewater District School Board’s newly revised Multi-Year Strategic Plan that were implemented over the past year, along with next steps that are planned in the following three priority areas: Safe Supportive Learning Community, Quality Education, and Aligning Resources for Student Success.

Words of Congratulations
Congratulations were extended to Vice-Chair Jan Johnstone on recently being elected as First Vice-President of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association. Retiring Director of Education Lori Wilder and Superintendent of Education Wendy Louwerse were also recognized and thanked for their years of dedicated service to Bluewater District School Board.



View the meeting agenda and attached reports.

View the video recording of the meeting.

Next Committee of the Whole Board Meeting – September 2, 2025
Next Regular Meeting of the Board – September 16, 2025
Bluewater District School Board is located on the traditional land of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which is represented by the communities of Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.
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