Board Meeting - Oct. 27, 2026

Board Appoints First Nation Trustee for New Term; Recognizes Outgoing Trustees for Legacy of Leadership and Community Contributions 

At the final meeting of the term, the Board approved the recommendation from Hiawatha First Nation to appoint Louise Musgrave as First Nation Trustee representing Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, and Hiawatha First Nation next term. Administration also noted that November is Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month at KPR, and recognized Trustees, including a number of departing Trustees, for their legacy of leadership and community contributions through their years of dedicated service to KPR students and families.

First Nation Trustee - Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation

A member of Hiawatha First Nation, Louise Musgrave has been appointed to serve as the First Nation Trustee for the next board term. Musgrave will represent Alderville First Nation, Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation. Appointees to the position of First Nation Trustee are chosen, on a rotating basis, by the First Nation communities served by the Board.

“Honouring Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing, engaging in Truth and Reconciliation, and elevating First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, perspectives and histories is a core value of our school board,” says Paul Brown, Chairperson of the Board. “We look forward greatly to the contributions Trustee Musgrave will make to the Board, and all the students in our care.”

November - Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month

November is Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month at KPR. Throughout this month and beyond, the board celebrates Indigenous excellence and amplifies the voices of First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples.

November was chosen because it includes several important dates, such as Treaties Recognition Week (Nov. 1-7), Rock Your Mocs Week (Nov. 8-15), International Inuit Day (Nov. 7), National Indigenous Veterans’ Day (Nov. 8), and Louis Riel Day (Nov. 16).

“We recognize November for the intentional learning focus on Treaties and other important markers within the month and are grateful to our students and staff for advancing their learning throughout the entire year. We know that schools and classes will learn directly from authentic Indigenous voices, Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers and in turn share their learning with others,” says Brown.

Trustee Appreciation

Matthew Gerard, Chief Executive Officer, on behalf of the senior administrative team, extended sincere thanks and appreciation to the members of the Board for their dedicated leadership over the last four-year term. Gerard also recognized outgoing Trustees Paul Brown, Sean Conway, Cyndi Dickson, Kathleen Flynn, Rose Kitney, Diane Lloyd and Steve Russell for their contributions as members of the Board, noting that some departing Trustees have served in the role for over 25 years.

“The role of Trustee is incredibly important within public education in the Province of Ontario,” says Gerard. “We have a number of Trustees leaving the Board who have served as previous Chairpersons of the Board, Chairpersons of Board committees, and many other leadership positions in their years of service. Throughout this time, they have led our board through times of significant challenge, change and success, always placing students at the heart of their decision making. Our communities have benefited greatly, and continue to benefit, from the many years of passion, dedication and service they brought to their role in support of students.”

KPR’s Annual Parent Conference
- Raising Positively Connected Kids in an Age of Constant Stimulation

As part of the Chief Executive Officer’s update, Gerard noted that more than 700 KPR parents, staff, and community members registered for the 2026 Parent Conference on October 17, featuring award-winning educator, author, and behavioural consultant Hannah Beach. In her engaging and relatable presentation, How to Raise Positively Connected Kids in an Age of Constant Stimulation, Beach shared practical strategies to help families foster connection, resilience, and well-being in a rapidly changing world.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive with 94% of respondents rating the webinar 5 out of 5. KPR’s Parent Involvement Committee sponsored the popular conference again this year. 

Trustees also:

• approved revisions to a number of school board policies;
• designated Lakefield District Public School as a rural school and eligible for funding under the provincial Rural and Northern Education allocation;
• received a number of reports for information.