Provincial funding requests to build new schools in Newcastle and Millbrook, and an addition for Buckhorn PS, to meet ongoing enrolment growth in these areas, are highlighted in the Board’s recent capital priorities funding submission to the Ministry of Education (MOE). At this evening’s meeting, the Board also noted that November is Indigenous Peoples Month at KPR, and recognized Trustee Cathy Abraham with an Accolade for her contributions to public education as President of the Ontario Public School Board’s Association (OPSBA). The Board also recognized KPR staff members Derek Doucet, Andrew Gibson, and Jennifer Robertson with Accolades for their recent recognition as OPSBA Achievement Award winners.
Capital Priorities Submissions
As part of the Resource Committee Report, Trustees were updated on capital priority submissions completed as part of the Ministry of Education Capital Priorities Grant Program. This program allows school boards to submit detailed project proposals to receive funding to address current accommodation needs.
“We are committed to securing funding to address the accommodation needs of our students across all areas of our board, but with a focused priority in the Newcastle/Clarington and Millbrook areas,” says Jaine Klassen Jeninga, Chairperson of the Board. “These areas have been our top priorities in the most recent rounds of capital submissions, and we will continue actively work through all available avenues, to secure the funding needed to build new schools to serve these communities.”
As part of this process, the board has submitted five priority requests for funding.
Newcastle, Foster Northwest Neighbourhood, Grady/Ruddell Road:
The first priority ranking was for a new build in Newcastle. Significant enrolment pressures are being experienced within the Newcastle area due to ongoing residential development, specifically putting pressures on Newcastle Public School (PS) and The Pines Senior PS. Given the long-standing safety concerns that the Board has with the location of the intermediate and secondary schools on Highway 115, administration provided the MOE with two options for consideration for this site.
• Option 1-A includes a request for a Junior Kindergarten (JK) to Grade 12, 1,400- pupil-place school plus a three-room childcare centre.
• Option 1-B includes a JK to Grade 6, 481-pupil-place school plus a three-room childcare centre.
Millbrook, Towerhill North, Fallis Line:
The second priority ranking was for a new build in Millbrook within the Towerhill North subdivision.
Ongoing residential development in the Township of Cavan Monagan has created significant enrolment pressures within the Crestwood Family of Schools, and in order to alleviate some of this pressure, a request for a 481-pupil-place JK to Grade 8 school plus a four-room childcare centre was submitted to the MOE.
Buckhorn Public School, Addition:
The third priority ranking was an addition at Buckhorn PS, as this area has been experiencing slow but steady enrolment growth. Although this growth has been previously managed with portable classrooms, the additional growth expected will put continued pressure on the school infrastructure, such as the gymnasium, the library and washrooms. As a result, a request for 121-pupil-place addition and a three-room childcare centre has been submitted.
Merwin Greer Public School, Addition:
The fourth priority ranking was an addition at Merwin Greer PS given the area’s recent residential development activity. With significant growth expected to come out of the new development proposals in the area, a request for 141-pupil-place addition and a four-room childcare centre was submitted to the MOE.
“Our business cases clearly illustrate our significant need for new school facilities to respond to critical accommodation pressures in these communities,” says Klassen Jeninga. “In the Newcastle community specifically, we are seeking to address long-standing community concerns for the safety of students attending school on a highway classified provincially as a staged freeway.”
November – Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month
November is Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month at KPR. Throughout this month and beyond, we celebrate Indigenous excellence and amplify the voices of First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples.
November was chosen because it includes several important dates, such as Treaties Recognition Week (Nov. 3-9), Rock Your Mocs Week (Nov. 10-16), Inuit Day (Nov. 7), National Indigenous Veterans’ Day (Nov. 8), and Louis Riel Day (Nov. 16).
“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 Klassen Jeninga. “We are heartened that our students and staff are so passionate about engaging in this work and strengthening their understanding and learning throughout the year.”
“While meaningful learning takes place throughout the entire year, the learning focus for the month of November is Treaties. Schools and classes will learn directly from authentic Indigenous voices, Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers and then share their learning with others,” says Rita Russo, Director of Education. “I would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the members of KPR’s Indigenous Education team for the valuable resources they make available throughout the year that help us all to think deeply as we celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Indigenous Peoples.”
Accolades
The Board of Trustees extended congratulations and appreciation to Trustee Cathy Abraham as she recently concluded her fourth term as President of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.
Abraham has served as OPSBA President since June 2018 and previously served two terms as Vice-President for the provincial organization. She is the first KPR Trustee to be elected to OPSBA’s three-member senior executive group.
The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association represents English public district school boards and public school authorities across Ontario, which together serve nearly 1.4 million public elementary and secondary students. The Association advocates on behalf of the best interests and needs of the public school system in Ontario and is seen as the expert voice of public education in Ontario.
“We congratulate Cathy on her years of dedicated service and leadership of OPSBA. She has played a critical role advancing the interests of public education for our communities, and students and school boards from across the province have been well served through her leadership,” says Klassen Jeninga.
Each year, the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association also honours individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of education.
At its annual general meeting this past summer, OPSBA recognized KPR staff members Derek Doucet (Lakefield District PS) and Andrew Gibson and Jennifer Robertson (Roger Neilson PS) with Achievement Awards. These awards recognize volunteers for outstanding, exemplary, and/or unique contributions to the overall well-being of the school or community through in-school, board-wide, extra-curricular and/or volunteer activity.
“Our congratulations to Andrew, Derek and Jennifer! KPR staff are world-class leaders in education, and tonight we are very pleased to honour Andrew, Derek and Jennifer for the provincial recognition of their professional accomplishments and dedication to their students and community,” says Russo.
Other decisions
Trustees also: appointed
· Stephanie Fuller as alternative representative to the Special Education Advisory Committee for Frontenac Youth Services, for the current four-year term of 2023-2026.
· received a number of reports for information.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
