Board Meeting Highlights - September 22, 2026

Posted on 09/22/2026

Chair Jane Thomson began the meeting acknowledging everyone who helped contribute to a smooth and successful back-to-school experience, including staff who have been busy over the past several months and those who make our schools welcoming spaces. It was recognized that 2026-2027 will be a school year of transitions and change due to a different process for busing, labour negotiations, new provincial curriculum requirements, and a municipal election resulting in trustee changes. A commitment to Bluewater District School Board’s strategic priorities was reaffirmed as essential to ensuring we are positioned for success in working together to support our students.

Declaration of Student Trustees and Senators
Members of the 2026-2027 Student Senate were sworn in with the two elected student trustees taking their seats at the board table. Each student had an opportunity to provide a brief introduction.

2026-2027 Annual Priorities
Chief Executive Officer AJ Keene presented this year’s five areas of focus for staff development, resource allocation, and support structures, which will complement and help advance the board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan:

i. Strong Foundations in Elementary Mathematics

This includes a goal to improve student achievement by strengthening instructional practice, deepening knowledge, and providing responsive support for students and educators. Targeted professional activity day learning, coaching, collaborative planning, and principal leadership development are strategies that will support the consistent implementation of high-impact math instruction across all schools.

ii. High-Quality Tier 1 Instruction in Every Secondary Classroom

Principals will be engaged in professional learning, achievement data will help identify Grade 9 and 10 courses for targeted improvement, and focused work will continue in Grade 9 math. A district‑wide review of locally developed programs will examine delivery models, curriculum access, and assessment practices to ensure Tier 1 expectations are applied consistently for students in these programs.

iii. Responsible and Impactful Use of Artificial Intelligence

BWDSB’s AI Strategy will be implemented by advancing AI literacy, governance, professional learning, and approved AI use cases. This work will include supporting effective use of Microsoft Copilot teacher tools, developing an AI Literacy Framework for students and staff, and targeted professional learning. AI-supported workflows will allow school leaders to streamline routine tasks, freeing more time for instructional leadership and classroom walkthroughs. Educators will be supported to use AI safely and ethically for analyzing data, monitoring the impact of instructional strategies, and planning responsive interventions.

iv. Well-Being, Belonging, and Engagement

In special education, a full training plan will support educational assistants. BWDSB mental health staff will continue to support professional learning for school teams to strengthen capacity for mentally healthy schools and collaborative problem-solving approaches. Mental health champions in secondary schools and a multidisciplinary team approach will support student achievement, well-being, and engagement. Improved staff and student attendance will also be an area of focus by promoting a culture of wellness and belonging in our workplaces, and new processes such as the Attendance Support Program for staff.

v. Leadership Growth and Succession

This goal will be supported through new administrator practices, improved onboarding and mentoring, and creating more intentional pathways for leadership development across BWDSB. New administrators will be engaged to better understand their needs, while mentorship supports are refined, and access to leadership learning is expanded to all employee groups.

The strategic priority of Aligning Resources for Student Success was also addressed. Business Services staff will continue to identify efficiencies that free up financial and human resources for reinvestment in priorities that improve the educational experience for students, families, and staff. Planning in ICT, transportation, financial services, plant services, and enrolment/planning will focus on responsible resource stewardship, service improvements, effective use of technology and AI, long-term facility and transportation planning, and leadership growth across departments.

Progress toward these focus areas will be monitored through the Senior Team Operational Plan with senior staff collecting and reviewing data, monitoring implementation, celebrating progress and impact, and adjusting as needed.

Business and Facilities Standing Committee Update
The report from the meeting held on September 8, 2026, included updates on transportation for the 2026-2027 school year, school renewal summer work, the acquisition of the Centennial Pool property to help address enrolment pressures in the Port Elgin area, and the status of Classroom Supplies Funding.

Student Senate Report
Student Trustee Ewan Dennison delivered the first update of the 2026-2027 Student Senate. Welcoming activities at various schools for new Grade 9 students were highlighted, including a Pizza Friday, BBQ, scavenger hunt, and other games and events. Groups of senior secondary students will be working to help those in Grade 9 to build study and exam skills to ensure success throughout their time in high school.

Over 3,700 students are expected to attend the 2026 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo outside of Walkerton through class trips. Bruce Peninsula District School’s secondary students are taking part in the daily parade, and the Agriculture and Horticulture Specialist High Skills Major programs are being represented in the education tent.

School athletics and try-outs are underway, including football, tennis, golf, girls’ basketball, and boys’ volleyball. The Saugeen District Senior School Royals Football Team is excited to be hosting its first ever “Pumpkin Bowl” under the lights against the Kincardine District Senior School Knights over the Pumpkinfest weekend on Friday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m.

Student councils are starting up for the year, arranging school spirit days, dances, semi-formals, and other events. Some are working to prepare for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

Student debate and leadership clubs, such as Mock Trial, Law Club, and Model UN are being assembled with the first Model UN assembly hosted by the Nuclear Innovative Institute at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre at the end of October.

Concert bands, jazz bands, ensembles, and art clubs are welcoming new and returning members to their groups.

Schools are hosting club fairs to introduce new and returning students to all the extracurricular clubs, teams, and opportunities in BWDSB.


View the meeting agenda and reports.

View the video recording of the meeting.

Next Governance Standing Committee Meeting – Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Next Regular Meeting of the Board – Tuesday, October 20, 2026