Presentations
Director’s recognition for innovation and leadership
The Director’s Recognition for Innovation and Leadership Award celebrates individuals in Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) who have combined the characteristics of innovation and leadership to improve our system and advance the strategic direction goals of improving student learning and achievement, and fostering student and staff well-being. The award is presented by the director of education, Wes Hahn, at each TLDSB Public Meeting of the Board. Hahn introduced this month’s recipient:
Gravenhurst High School (GHS) Mathematics Department head, David Gilbert, has used his skills to engage staff in authentic learning opportunities to change their practice and, alongside his colleagues, continues to monitor the progress of their efforts. Over the last three years, Gilbert has continued to work within his department to enhance the pedagogical approaches to support students within a de-streamed learning environment. In addition, he has engaged staff from various other departments and provided professional learning opportunities to enhance their understanding of the competencies that students need to develop in order to improve their numeracy skills. Gilbert continues to push and challenge his colleagues to find ways to address their
greatest areas of need. This level of coaching, co-planning, and monitoring for a full-time teacher, athletic coach, and student council staff advisor is truly innovative work.
(GHS staff attended the meeting to support their colleague in this recognition)
Director’s report
Director of education, Wes Hahn, gave a brief overview of the data collected from the 2023-2024 Director’s Student Voice Summits, Educator Open Forums, Community Attendance Forum, and staff advisory groups. Hahn noted the continuation of work taking place on monitoring student attendance, learning about mental health and supports available, and provided a brief review of the next steps for expanding TLDSB’s outdoor education program. Additionally, Hahn mentioned the positive financial standing of TLDSB and the work of the Finance Services Department to support the Board’s strategic direction.
Focus school and department success stories
To highlight the learning successes that took place in focus schools and department areas, Hahn welcomed the superintendents to share celebrations from last school year. Focus schools are identified each year by the region superintendent of learning, and they work with the administrator to support best practices and address needs for student achievement.
Superintendent of learning, Jay MacJanet, highlighted the successes of Gravenhurst Public School and Stuart W. Baker Elementary School in numeracy and literacy.
Superintendent of learning, Jennifer Johnston, spoke about the extraordinary improvements that were made over the last three years at Queen Victoria Public School in reading, writing, and mathematics. Johnston also shared updates from the Indigenous education lens, including the addition of a new member to the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, Dorthy Taylor from Curve Lake First Nation.
Associate superintendent of learning, Tanya Fraser, highlighted the achievements of Muskoka Falls Public School in reading, writing, and mathematics.
Superintendent of learning, Kim Williams, noted the improvements made at Gravenhurst High School in literacy skills, reading intervention, and numeracy development across curriculum departments. Williams also noted that the Board is looking at the ways generative artificial intelligence (AI) can be used safely, and how to educate students on its use – having a critical mind to ensure the information they are receiving from the AI product is accurate, factual, and unbiased.
Superintendent of learning, Nikki Train, shared that there was a focus on social emotional training in the Special Education Department. There was also specific training for new staff in special education, as well as differentiated teaching to meet the wide range of student needs. Last school year also saw training on the new individual education plan (IEP) monitoring system, along with a review of the IEPs in the system.
Superintendent of Business Services, Tim Ellis, praised the Facilities Services Department staff for their work on the new expansion of Scott Young Public School and ensuring the changes made through the Board’s recent Parkview Public School Boundary Review were done smoothly and in time for the beginning of the new school year. Ellis also noted the beginning of a risk management model this school year that will have contributions from all departments and areas across TLDSB.
Superintendent of Human Resources Services, Traci Hubbert, highlighted the conclusion of all collective agreement bargaining groups and noted that TLDSB was the first board to have all Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) agreements signed in the province. The continued promotion of health and safety in schools and buildings was also mentioned, including the continuation of auditing the Board’s health and safety practices.
2023-2024 suspension and expulsion data
Associate superintendent of learning for safe schools, Tanya Fraser, presented the suspension and expulsion data from last school year, and also highlighted student behaviour supports currently in place. Fraser noted that supporting students to learn from their choices, improve their behaviours, and to prevent inappropriate behaviour from reoccurring is the foundation in this area. Fraser also spoke about the Board’s mental health model, along with the team that supports it, and the promotion and prevention of mental health, early intervention, and supervised alternative learning – all of which contribute to student well-being.
TLDSB Equity Action Plan
Superintendent of learning responsible for equity and inclusion, Jennifer Johnston, noted that understanding the communities we serve is vital to eliminating barriers, which will overall improve success for each student. Johnston shared the Board’s three-year Equity Action Plan priority areas, which include:
- Building inclusive communities
- Enhancing two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender queer, intersex, asexual plus (2SLGBTQIA+) inclusion and belonging
- Improving Indigenous student achievement and well-being
- Addressing anti-Black racism
Summer construction presentation
Superintendent of Business Services, Tim Ellis, shared a slideshow of photos that highlighted the work completed by the Facility Services Department staff over the summer months. Work completed included improvements to schools and playgrounds, upgrading Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and environmental standards, as well as updated safety measures.
Administrative and committee reports
In addition to a number of reports from statutory and standing committees, Trustee Louise Clodd provided a summary of the recent Audit Committee Meeting that took place on November 12. Superintendent of Business Services, Tim Ellis, was invited by Clodd to share the results of the audited financial statements from 2023-2024, where he noted that the Board’s surplus is just under $8 million. See the recent media release for more information on the financial standing and surplus.
2024 Board meeting schedule
Board meetings are open to the public to attend at the host location in-person. For viewing, the meetings are live-streamed and the link is made available on the tldsb.ca website on the day of the meeting.
| Meeting | Date | Time | Location |
| Organizational Meeting of the Board | December 3, 2024 | 6 p.m. | Lindsay Education Centre (LEC) |
