Catholic board fills native seat

Given the seat reserved for a First Nations’ representative on the Northwest Catholic District School Board has been vacant since December, 2006, the board is thrilled to welcome Jim Leonard as he fills the vacancy.
“We’re very excited to have a native trustee working with us,” said Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly. “With his experience, he has fit right in.
“The transition was exceptionally smooth.”
Leonard, from Rainy River First Nations, officially was appointed to the board at its regular meeting March 29 in Dryden.
“At a time when the government is trying to help with aboriginal funding, it’s important that we have leadership from the First Nation communities,” Kelly stressed.
She added the board once again will be able to strike up its Native Advisory Committee, which will be headed by Leonard.
The committee meets whenever there are issues of concern to area bands.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of the board,” said Leonard, who had been a native trustee for the Rainy River District School Board in the past.
He added he’s already noticed a difference in the meeting structure between the two boards.
“The Catholic board is a lot less formal, which is good because it allows for more discussion,” he indicated.
Leonard said he doesn’t have any major issues on his agenda. He simply wants to get to know the board and be a voice for the local First Nation communities.
Kelly said it was a shame it took so long for the local First Nations to agree on a board rep.
Following the municipal election in November, 2006, the First Nation communities tried to come to an agreement on who would represent them. However, it was a lengthy process.
Where Couchiching had held the position in the past (since the majority of First Nations students with the Catholic board reside there), it was suggested there be an alteration.
This had to be approved and then someone had to be nominated. At one point, a representative had been agreed upon, but didn’t meet the qualifications of the board.
Leonard noted when he was nominated, he gladly accepted.
Also at last month’s meeting, the board heard from Mike Belluz, co-ordinator of Managing Information for Student Achievement (MISA).
The initiative, which is to increase the capacity to manage and work with data in order to effectively optimize student achievement, is now fully implemented after about three years.
Principals and teachers are now being trained so they know all the ways they can utilize the data.
“It helps to target students who might be at risk or struggling,” Kelly explained. “And the data can be passed on to other teachers. It’s a continuous flow of information from year to year.”
Information—such as who the student is, where they live, what bus they take, who their teachers are, what classes they are taking, when they are absent or late, and if they have any special needs—is available at the press of a button.
As well, reports cards, achievement levels, and assessments are included.
“Student learning requires the connected efforts of many,” Belluz stated in his presentation. “If we are to ensure quality information for planning, decision-making, and accountability, we must have quality data all the time.”