Separate board had good year: director

The Northwest Catholic District School Board had a good year, Education Director Carol-Lynne Oldale told trustees in her annual report at last night’s regular meeting.
“It’s been a busy year–very exciting and a very good one overall,” remarked Oldale, who will submit her four-page report to the ministry before month’s end.
“As staff continues to work on the new curriculum, we’ve put a lot of money into professional development and that’s appreciated by the teachers,” she began.
The board also has undergone “major restructuring,” and since devising a formal Mission Statement, with Values and Visions, will strive to make decisions in a consistent and wise manner.
“Parents can be pleased with the quality of education kids are getting their schools,” she enthused.
Last night’s meeting also marked the board’s first use of its Wide Area Network (WAN) videoconferencing capabilities, which the director pointed to as another example of changes in how the board operates.
The meeting was “attended” by trustees and members at videoconferencing sites at Sacred Heart School in Sioux Lookout and at the Dryden board office.
Also last night, the Jan. 18 personnel report noted the appointment of Michelle Tymkin as part-time educational assistant (Our Lady of the Way) and Melanie Fafard as full-time teacher (St. Francis).
As well, Jody Jolicoeur will switch from full-time to part-time educational assistant (Our Lady of the Way), and Stacy Montgomery will return as a part-time teacher (Sacred Heart) after a leave of absence.
In other business, the board:
•received the latest cash disbursement report, which indicated it spent $911,182.40 in December;
•voted to revise board committee structure, including adding a pre-board committee and removing the Fort Frances multi-use steering committee;
•made an amendment to its electronic meetings policy;
•appointed trustee Deanna Pacheco as the board’s Easter Seal Society rep;
•approved the committee structure devised for a “Jubilee 2000” ad hoc committee, with members being appointed at the board’s Feb. 15 meeting;
•received the minutes of the Special Education Advisory Committee held Nov. 17;
•look over minutes from the Sept. 29 meeting of the St. Francis school council;
•decided to extend non-auto insurance coverage with the Ontario School Boards’ Insurance Exchange (OSBIE); and
•acknowledged all correspondence received since the previous board meeting Dec. 18.