Bluewater District School Board

Bluewater's Board Meeting Highlights - November 19, 2024 page

Board Meeting Highlights - November 19, 2024

Board Meeting Highlights - November 19, 2024
Posted on 11/19/2024
Board Meeting Highlights graphic depicting BWDSB logo and Education CentreBoard Meeting Highlights graphic depicting BWDSB logo and Education Centre

Chair and Vice-Chair Positions
Trustees determined the chair and vice-chair positions for the next year. Jane Thomson was elected as Chair, while Jan Johnstone was acclaimed as Vice-Chair.

Appointment to Statutory Committees
Trustees were appointed to the following statutory committees for a one-year term:
  • Audit Committee – Jan Johnstone, Jane Thomson, Derrick Long
  • Parent Involvement Committee – Tracy Lynn Atkinson, Katie Lutz (alternate)
  • Supervised Alternative Learning Committee – Fran Morgan, Katie Lutz, Tracy Lynn Atkinson (alternate)
Declaration of Student Senator
A new member of the 2024 – 2025 Student Senate was sworn in.

Excellence in Education – Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE) BRAVO! Award
Trustees viewed a presentation and brief demonstration of Bluewater District School Board’s new board-wide digital course calendar. The initiative was recently recognized nationally in the Coup de Coeur category of the BRAVO! Awards Program by the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE).

Field Trip Update
Trustees approved that Georgian Bay Community School students participate in the field trip, Pursuits Program Algonquin Winter Exhibition, from February 25 to 28, 2025.

Business Committee Update
The report from the meeting held on November 5, 2024 included the following:
  • future enrolment growth in Dundalk and next steps to help alleviate pressure at current school locations
  • an update on the construction process at the new Beavercrest Community School
Trustees approved that students in Grade 7 and 8 at Highpoint Community School be temporarily relocated to Grey Highlands Secondary School commencing 2025 – 2026 until the newly constructed growth school in Dundalk is complete.

Code of Conduct Trustee Alternates
Tracy Lynn Atkinson and Katie Lutz were appointed as trustee alternates, in accordance with the requirements of board policy BP 1108-D “Code of Conduct – Trustee”.

Special Education Advisory Committee Representative Appointment
Larissa Allen was appointed as a member to the Special Education Advisory Committee for the remainder of the 2022 – 2026 term as nominated by the Special Education Advisory Committee.

Supervised Alternative Learning Committee Representative Appointment
Alicia Rosenburg was appointed as a member of the Supervised Alternative Learning Committee for the remainder of the 2023 – 2026 term, as nominated by Bruce Grey Child and Family Services, Owen Sound.

Student Senate Report
Student Trustee Hayden Powell presented a report on a variety of school initiatives that have been occurring, such as Youth Wellness Champion activities in secondary schools, fall sports accomplishments, and the recent Ontario Student Leadership Conference. Schools also participated in many services, activities, and assemblies in honour of Indigenous Veterans’ Day and Remembrance Day. Spirit days during the last week of October included events such as pumpkin carving and painting, semi- formal dances, and costume contests.

Indigenous students from Peninsula Shores District and Owen Sound District Secondary schools attended the Indigenous Post-Secondary Information Program recently to explore future opportunities for college, university, apprenticeship, and the workplace. At John Diefenbaker Senior School, students hosted a Model United Nations event for many secondary schools. 

2023 – 2024 Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statements
Trustees were presented with the financial results for 2023 – 2024 outlining the board’s balanced financial position, which has improved by successfully navigating through the school year and responding positively to Bill 124 remedy impacts, collective bargaining, and enrolment changes. The Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended August 31, 2024 were also shared.

Annual Banking Resolutions
The following banking resolutions for 2025 were presented and approved:

i) General Banking Resolution
ii) Certificate of Officers and Directors
iii) General Borrowing Resolution ($50,000,000)

Trustees also approved appointing Director of Education Lori Wilder, Superintendent of Business Andrew Low, Chair of the Board Jan Thomson, and Vice-Chair of the Board Jan Johnstone as signing officers and directors for RBC Dominion Securities.

Online Learning
A presentation was shared on the wide variety of asynchronous online learning courses that are available to students, and the recently implemented synchronous online course for multilingual language learners.



View the meeting agenda and attached reports.

View the video recording of the meeting.

Next Committee of the Whole Board Meeting – December 3, 2024
Next Regular Meeting of the Board – December 17, 2024
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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