Catholic board members meet Minister of Education

News Release
NWCSB

The Trustees Association (OCSTA) professional development conference was recently held in Toronto.
The purpose of the gathering was to offer Catholic trustees the opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist, hear current news and issues in education from the OCSTA President, Nancy Kirby, and to reflect on the trustee’s role to be advocates, guardians and stewards of Catholic education.
The Catholic trustees had the opportunity to hear the Minister of Education, the Honorable Leona Dombrowsky, inform the participants of the continued focus on student achievement. “It was a pleasure to meet the Minister in person and speak to her regarding educational issues in the north,” said Vice Chair, Cathy Bowen from Sioux Lookout.
With new Provincial Governance Legislation, all school boards in Ontario must adhere to the Regulation Bill 177, which defines the roles and responsibilities of school boards. The trustees were pleased to attend a certification program offered by the Ontario Education Services Corporation that partners with all of the Trustee Associations, Directors of Education across the province and St. Michael’s College. Director of Education Mary-Catherine Kelly stated that, “It was exciting to have all of the Catholic trustees across the province come together to discuss School Board Governance”. The trustees had the opportunity to attend 4 training modules regarding: Authentic Governance Through Ethical Leadership, Governance for Student Achievement, Roles and Responsibilities, and Relationships in School Boards. Board Chair, Anne-Marie Fitzgerald from Fort Frances stated that, “As Catholic trustees, we have a common vision and sense of mission for our Catholic schools. Our role is to ensure that we prepare our students to have strong academic success as well as preparing them to develop their faith formation so that they can be prepared to live in their culture and embrace all that is good in it.”

Director Kelly said that, “The professional learning in these sessions was tremendous. The Northwest Catholic District School Board is a leader in the province in Policy Governance, which is the direction the Ministry of Education is promoting.” “Northwest Catholic has been using the Policy Governance Model for more than 10 years so we are ahead of the curve. This model of governance works extremely well for us and our Board believes it is a positive direction for the province.” says Chair Fitzgerald.