These are highlights from the public meeting of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board held August 25, 2025.
Affirmation of Traditional Lands
Kari Kramp, Chair of the Board, offered a Land Affirmation.
Swearing in the new student trustees
The three student trustees for 2025-2026 were sworn in for the 2025-2026 school year.
Welcome to Thomas Rice, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute; Audrey Maracle, Indigenous Student Trustee, Prince Edward Collegiate Institute; and Maria Nash, Centennial Secondary School, pictured with Director of Education Katherine MacIver (L) and Chair of the Board Kari Kramp (R).
Signing the Trent University Articulation Agreement
Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, HPEDSB and Trent University are partnering to offer a dual credit program in Indigenous Studies. This collaboration will allow students to earn both a high school credit and a university credit for the same course. This will create more university pathway opportunities for students and help ease the transition from high school to university. This will be piloted at Eastside Secondary School. Find out more starting on page 77 of the agenda.
Pictured: Audrey Maracle, Indigenous Student Trustee; Sandy Maracle, Trustee, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte; Eliza Nicholson, Director Recruitment & Admissions; Madisyn Brownlee, First People’s House of Learning; Kevin Fitzmaurice, Associate Professor, Indigenous Studies; Kathryn Norlock, Dean of Humanities & Social Science; Katherine MacIver, Director of Education; Marilyn Burns, VP Communications and Enrolment; Kari Kramp, Chair of the Board; Troy Maracle, Indigenous System Lead; and Tina Jones, Superintendent.
Honourable Mention for the Fred L. Bartlett Memorial Award
Congratulations to Principal Rob Lake and the Coe Hill School staff. They received an Honourable Mention for the Fred L. Bartlett Memorial Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to education in Ontario, from the Ontario Public School Boards' Association. The Coe Hill team was nominated by a community member whom the team supported with care and compassion following a family crisis.
Pictured: Shannon Binder, Trustee, Southeast Hastings; Rob Lake, Principal, Coe Hill School; Ron Speck, Trustee, North Hastings.
Ontario Public School Boards' Association update
Highlights from this report included the following:
- the in-person Canadian School Board Association conference in July was cancelled due to the wildfires in Manitoba; and
- a reminder for trustees to complete the Essential Governance 2025 professional development program training by the August 31, 2025 deadline.
Student Voice
Highlights from this report included the following:
- self-introductions and what the students are looking forward to this school year.
Chair's report
Highlights from this report included the following:
- expressed a welcome to the new school year to Board members and the community;
- referenced the new strategic plan as a promise to students, staff and families about the commitment to student learning and providing them the skills they need to navigate their futures;
- acknowledged that the Board passed a balanced budget in June, despite the funding challenges; and
- schools are places of hope and possibilities.
Trustee sharing
- expressed appreciation to the Coe Hill School staff for their ongoing support of the community;
- recognition of the renovations at North Hastings High School during the summer to enhance the school and make it a welcoming, inclusive learning and working environment.
Director's report
Highlights from this report included the following:
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Congratulations to the new student trustees and welcome to the new role.
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AI learning session for Central Office last week. Their challenge: How might we leverage artificial intelligence in our roles for increased productivity and cognitive space?
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School administrator meeting last week to begin the new school year: discussed the new strategic plan; shared more about the “Have you heard” campaign launch, a partnership with the Learning Foundation to fundraise for soundfield systems for all JK-Grade 3 classrooms; optimistic leadership; preparing for the PA Day on September 2.
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Operations Meeting today with school secretaries and administrators, focused on: innovation and responsibilities in the student information system; procedure review, especially the Provision of Health/Medical Supports for Students and the Code of Conduct, particularly no cell phones and no vaping/smoking reminders.
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We are eager to welcome students on Wednesday, September 3.
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Grade 9 students will receive a welcome Bright Futures package filled with vaping/smoking cessation supports (fidget pen, mints, pencil and sharpener, sticker and information about the Quash app).
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Welcome to our 55 international students from nine countries.
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We're very excited to launch our new strategic plan with the tagline “Bright Futures”. We've made incredible progress from our last plan: increased Grade 9 credit accumulation (8 for 8 credit accumulation by, on average, 5%); adjusted instruction to reflect the science of reading; grew understanding and application of equity, and culturally responsive and reflective pedagogy; grew knowledge, reconcili”actions”, sovereignty and voices of Indigenous people in Canada, including expanding Indigenous student success coaches to every high school; restored credit accumulation; embraced Artificial Intelligence; increased Grade 6 Math EQAO achievement by 6%; increased OSSLT EQAO achievement by 7%; increased the 4-year graduation rate by 6 percentage points, from 70.6 to 76.7 (78.3% at highest); increased the 5-year graduation rate by 5 percentage points, from 76.3 to 81.4; and embraced and supported students to the best we knew how.
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Our new strategic plan is bringing to light the vision of inspiring and innovating for a bright future. We are focused on equipping students with skills for the future.
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Watch for a strategic plan launch video coming soon!
2025 Ontario Scholars
At the end of June each school year, the names of students who were Ontario Scholars at graduation are submitted to the Director’s Office. An Ontario Scholar has achieved six Grade 12 credits with an 80% average or higher. In June 2025, 435 students across HPEDSB achieved this provincial recognition. Find out more starting on page 75 of the agenda.
2025-2026 Student Achievement Plan
The 2025–2026 Student Achievement Plan aligns with the strategic plan and includes public feedback. A key focus is on equity, particularly for students with learning
disabilities and those who self-identify as Indigenous. Find out more starting on page 76 of the agenda.
Calendar of events
The dates for committee and Board meetings are listed on page 78 of the agenda.
For more information, please contact Kerry Donnell, Communications and Privacy Manager, 613-966-1170, extension 62354, or 613-847-0696, or [email protected]