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PRAYER
The meeting opened with prayer and a reflection on the Gospel message that Jesus is the true vine and we are the branches. Prayers were offered for the Church, the Board of Trustees, educators and staff, and for students and families to feel supported and encouraged within the Catholic school community.
PRESENTATIONS
2025 MBC Impact Award Recognition (Presented by Chair Teresa Gallik)
Trustees recognized KCDSB’s Mental Health Team for receiving the
2025 Measurement-Based Care (MBC) Impact Award, alongside 20 other school boards across Ontario. Chair Teresa Gallik welcomed Sue Devlin, Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, and Amy Stamp, Mental Health Worker, and congratulated them and the full team on this achievement. The award recognizes work that uses data, professional judgement, and student voice to strengthen mental health supports in schools. Trustees thanked the team for their care and commitment, and for the difference they make for students and families across KCDSB.
School Achievement Plan: St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Presented by Mark Richards)
Principal Mark Richards presented St. Thomas Aquinas High School’s School Achievement Plan, which was developed through extensive staff consultation, surveys, student achievement data, school climate information, and feedback from families and community partners. The plan identifies four key priorities: strengthening learning skills and work habits, with an initial focus on improving student organization through consistent in-class agendas and shared practices beginning in Semester 2; supporting literacy growth through the continued use of Lexia and targeted interventions; increasing student engagement by tracking participation and responding with focused outreach and programming for students not involved in extracurricular activities; and enhancing the home–school connection through initiatives such as “sunshine calls” and increased family touchpoints to build relationships and encourage greater family involvement in school life.
Student Trustee Report
Student Trustees Thia and Jacob shared highlights from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, noting a strong start to the New Year rooted in faith, learning, and student engagement. Catholic identity remains central, with monthly faith challenges such as Act Like a Saint, student-led morning prayers, and weekly prayer services encouraging reflection, service, and well-being. Academically, students are preparing for exams and Semester 2, with continued pathway planning, post-secondary exposure through visits and partnerships, and hands-on learning for Special Education students through the Navigating the Workplace course, which received very positive student feedback. Athletics are active, with strong participation and success in hockey, curling, volleyball, basketball, and preparations underway for Nordic skiing. In the arts, the rescheduled Christmas Concert and upcoming auditions for the school play are fostering creativity and confidence. FNMI initiatives continue through land-based learning and cultural workshops in partnership with Kenora Chiefs Advisory. Student leadership and service remain strong through clubs, philanthropy initiatives, Student Council, and the school book fair. Trustees were also updated on the near completion of the new welding shop, with dual credit and dedicated welding courses launching this semester.
PROPERTY
2026–2030 Capital Plan (Presented by Alison Smith)
Alison Smith presented the
2026–2030 Capital Plan, developed using updated Ministry facility condition information (VFA) and annual capital funding allocations. The plan prioritizes projects across schools based on ranked needs (high/medium/low) and is reviewed annually as a living document. Highlights for the first two years included accessibility upgrades (including ramps), updates at multiple sites, and completion of the welding shop. Estimated costs were shared as approximately $2.2M for 2025–2026 and $19.166M across the full five-year plan, dependent on annual Ministry funding (School Condition Improvement and School Renewal). Trustees approved the capital plan.
OTHER
2025 Director’s Annual Report (Presented by Jamey Robertson and Trina Henley)
Director Jamey Robertson and Trina Henley presented the
2025 Director’s Annual Report, emphasizing the digital version with embedded multimedia and a launch trailer. The report was shared as a reflection and celebration of the year’s work across KCDSB schools and departments. Trustees expressed appreciation for the report and trailer, and the Board approved the Director’s Annual Report as presented.
Watch the Trailer here:
2026–2027 School Year Calendar (Presented by Jamey Robertson)
Director of Education Jamey Robertson provided an update on the development of the 2026–2027 Regional School Year Calendar. He explained that the Regional School Year Calendar Committee, which includes five school boards that share student transportation services, consulted on a single draft calendar for the upcoming school year. Public consultation was conducted from January 5 to January 16, 2026, and received 831 responses across the region, with the majority of feedback coming from parents and caregivers.
The proposed calendar begins before Labour Day to avoid extending the school year into late June, an approach that aligns with previous regional practice and Ministry requirements. Key dates include a September 1, 2026, start to the school year, a winter break running from December 21, 2026, to January 1, 2027, with classes resuming on January 4, a March Break from March 15 to 19, 2027, and a last day of school on June 25, 2027. Overall feedback indicated the draft calendar is reasonable, balanced, and similar to previous years. The Regional Committee is meeting on January 23 to review consultation themes and finalize a recommended calendar.
UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS
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