KPR Board Meeting: June 20, 2022

JUNE 20, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOARD FINALIZES NEXT SCHOOL YEAR’S BUDGET; ADOPTS CALLS TO ACTION WITHIN FINAL REPORT OF NATIONAL INQUIRY INTO MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS

Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Trustees tonight gave final approval to a balanced operating and capital budget for the next school year. Highlights include continued enrolment growth in both elementary and secondary panels, over $60 million devoted to Special Education to support all students; investments in the areas of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Indigenous Education; as well as close to $39 million in capital funding dedicated to building and school improvements.

The Board also expressed its support of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, including the Calls to Action specifically for educators within that report. Trustees accepted, with regret, the retirement notice of Gloria Tompkins, Superintendent of Education: Student Achievement, among other decisions.

2022-2023 Budget

Trustees this evening approved a balanced budget of $467,991,226 for the next school year. The budget complies with all Ministry of Education requirements, and is based on the priorities set out within the Board’s 2019-2022 Strategic Plan – Excellence in Learning, Life and Community.

“We are incredibly proud of the strength, resilience and growth our students and staff have demonstrated through these unprecedented school years. It was wonderful for everyone to experience the joy and energy that happens when our students and staff can learn and grow together in-person,” says Diane Lloyd, Chairperson of the Board. “We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the families of our students for their patience, understanding and support for students and public education. We believe this budget will continue to make success possible for all.”

“We remain mindful of the continued and lasting impacts of the pandemic for our students. We will be intentional in our work to support students in their learning as we move forward next year,” she adds. “The budget we approved this evening reflects our continued commitment to do all that we can to support the great work of our students and staff.”

Board grant revenues are determined provincially based on elementary and secondary student enrolment. Total Board enrolment for 2022-2023 is expected to be 34,827 students. Elementary enrolment is projected to increase by 1,107 students from the previous year, with secondary enrolment expected to increase by 488 students.

“We want to be able to provide rich and varied programming options for all our students, and we’re encouraged that we continue to be a destination of choice for parents. The enrolment growth we’ve seen in the last few years within our elementary panel is now benefitting our secondary school students,” says Lloyd.

Other budget highlights include:

over $60 million to support special education program delivery in schools.
funding to advance key strategic priorities in the areas of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Indigenous Education
a capital budget of approximately $39 million dedicated for building of a new school and school improvement projects across the Board.

“We continue to invest significantly, every year, in improvements and enhancements to our schools. We want to ensure our learning environments remain fresh, inviting and engaging for all students,” says Lloyd.

Calls to Action: Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Following a recommendation of support from its Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, Trustees this evening expressed their support for Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Released in 2019, the report includes Calls to Action 11.1 and 11.2, specifically for educators.

The two Calls to Action are:

11.1 We call upon all elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions and education authorities to educate and provide awareness to the public about missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people, and about the issues and root causes of violence they experience. All curriculum development and programming should be done in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, especially Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. Such education and awareness must include historical and current truths about the genocide against Indigenous Peoples through state laws, policies, and colonial practices. It should include, but not be limited to, teaching Indigenous history, law, and practices from Indigenous perspectives and the use of “Their Voices Will Guide Us” with children and youth.

11.2 We call upon all educational service providers to develop and implement awareness and education programs for Indigenous children and youth on the issue of grooming for exploitation and sexual exploitation.

“As educators we know our work is ongoing to support all students, staff and the communities we serve in embedding the lessons learned from the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls,” says Rita Russo, Director of Education.

“In 2016, our Board expressed full support and adoption of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and we know that work is ongoing in our schools. Our support this evening is a next step in our journey of this very important learning for us all," says Lloyd.

Retirement of Gloria Tompkins, Superintendent of Education: Student Achievement

Trustees extended their great thanks and appreciation to Gloria Tompkins, Superintendent of Education: Student Achievement who has notified the Board of her retirement.

“Throughout my career with the Board I have had the good fortune to work with many wonderful individuals at all levels of the organization,” says Tompkins. “It has been a pleasure to serve the students and families of the Kawartha Pine Ridge communities. I hope that I have been able to contribute to the high quality of teaching and educational experience in our schools, and I am grateful to have been a part of so many school communities.”

Tompkins has over 35 years of service with the board, joining as a teacher at Norwood Public School in 1986. An accomplished educator, she has held varied leadership roles with the board throughout her career.

“Gloria is such a passionate and dedicated professional – she will be greatly missed by our Board,” says Lloyd. “It has been a great pleasure to have had the great good fortune to work with her for a number of years and I know her skills, knowledge and leadership have been tremendous assets for our students and schools. Her years as a Teacher, Vice-principal, Principal and leader are a lasting legacy for our board.”

Director of Education Russo congratulated Tompkins on her well-deserved retirement and her unwavering commitment to ensuring the best interests of students and the organization were at the heart of her decision making.

“Gloria is a life-long learner, and a leader who is truly a student-focused. Her caring is so evident in her work and the contributions she brings to our senior leadership team. A strong advocate for all students, throughout her career Gloria has been especially committed to supporting teacher learning and developing excellent instructional practices in benefit of students. On behalf of her many friends and colleagues, we congratulate her for all that she has done for students and wish her only the very best of wishes upon her retirement.”

Other decisions

authorized administration to enter into an easement with the City of Quinte West which would allow the city to install a water main service along the easterly lot line of the Murray Centennial Public School property
approved the sending of a letter to the Minister of Education, requesting that the Education Act be amended to allow student Trustees the right to move and second recommendations
in accordance with the Education Act, appointed Anthony J. Sutcliffe, Mauro DiCarlo, Wayne Godward, Robert Fisher, Brian Horton, and Dave McFadden as members of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Compliance Audit Committee
appointed Trustee Angela Lloyd as the Director and Delegate Member to the Ontario Public School Board’s Association (OPSBA) from June 2022 until March 2023. Trustee Steve Russell was appointed as the Alternate Director and Delegate Member
approved the change of the Northumberland Players Award for Drama to the Northumberland Players Madison Chard Memorial Performing Arts Award
approved revisions to a number of board policies, received a number of reports for information, including the Board’s 19th annual Community Report Card.

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For more information, please call:

Diane Lloyd, Board Chairperson, at 1-705-536-0955, ext. 201

Greg Kidd, Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, at 705-742-9773 or toll-free at 877-741-4577, ext. 2353