Recognitions
At the last Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) Regular Meeting of the Board for the 2022-2023 school year, it was a pleasure to have many students present for special presentations and recognitions, including:
Monck Public School jazz band performance of four pieces of music for trustees. This band was one of two bands from Monck Public School, who recently medaled at MusicFest Canada.
Huntsville High School student, Wil Sinclair, was recognized for receiving a gold medal in the electrical competition at the Skills Canada Nationa competition.
Huntsville High School student, Oliver Walsh, was recognized for receiving a second place finish in individual carpentry at the Skills Ontario Provincial competition.
Gravenhurst High School student, Jocelyn Aldom, was recognized for receiving a bronze medal in the job skills competition at the Skills Canada Nationals.
Huntsville Public School students, Cali Turnbull and Livany Tate, were recognized for receiving a bronze medal in the Grade 7/8 television and video competition at the Skills Ontario Provincial competition.
Student trustee, Alexia Evans-Turnbull, was recognized as an outgoing student trustee and G7 student representative from Huntsville High School for the past two years.
Watt Public School students, Keegan and Lalayla, shared their fundraising efforts for a swing for their friend. They have raised $3,500 so far.
Presentations
Trillium Lakelands Arts Camp 2023 overview
Superintendent of learning, Kim Williams, shared an overview with trustees about the recent week-long overnight camp experience for Grade 7-12 students. In total, 277 students attended this year’s Trillium Lakelands Arts Camp (TLAC) that took place in May at Camp White Pine in Haliburton. These students had the opportunity to take part in specialized instruction in instrumental and vocal music, drama, musical theatre, dance, and visual arts. Visit the 2023 TLAC video for more information and highlights from the week.
Student voice in TLDSB
Student trustees, Alexia Evans-Turnball and Logan MacInnis, presented trustees with an overview of the first-ever Director’s Student Voice Summit that took place over two days in May. Through this summit, the director of education, Wes Hahn, senior team members, and the G7 Student Senate leaders heard from Grade 7 to 12 students across the Board with respect to how the Board can make learning in our schools more effective for current and future students.
The TLDSB G7 Student Senate was a big part of the sessions and took the lead on facilitating the activities, and ensured students felt welcome, comfortable, and able to express themselves.
Director’s report
Director of education, Wes Hahn, highlighted the achievements in the system over the past school year. The strategic plan drives our plan for advancing student success and the Board is so pleased with the student voice initiatives that will help drive the advancement of student learning and well-being.
Administrative reports
Outdoor education ad hoc committee report
Superintendent of learning, Paul Goldring, provided trustees with a report on the work of the Ad Hoc Outdoor Education Committee that met throughout 2022-2023, sharing that Grade 6 students across the Board had the opportunity to attend Camp Muskoka this past school year. He shared that students and staff spoke highly of their camp experience, including the activities, food, and facilities. The Outdoor Education Committee compiled a list of suggestions for the Board to take into consideration for future years. The 2023-2024 school year will see all Grade 6 students being offered the opportunity for an outdoor experience once again at Camp Muskoka.
Boundary review updates
Superintendent of Business Services, Tim Ellis, provided an update on recent boundary and capacity reviews taking place throughout the Board. After conducting more research with the City of Kawartha Lakes personnel, it became evident to Board staff that more dwellings will be established than what was previously considered. For the Parkview Public School boundary review, a recommendation was put forward to postpone the date in which options for consideration are provided until a meeting in the fall of 2023. This motion was approved by the trustees.
In regard to the Dr. George Hall Public School, Jack Callaghan Public School, and Mariposa Elementary School boundary review, Ellis described the steps that were taken and proposed options for the boundaries of these schools. A recommendation was brought forward to change the boundaries to reflect option one (which was presented as part of the report), with a modification that both the north and south sides of Salem Road become the Mariposa Public School’s catchment boundary. This recommendation was approved by the trustees.
Ellis brought a report to the trustees on the capacity review for Huntsville Public School and Riverside Public School (RPS) in terms of the French Immersion grade distribution. The recommendation that was approved by the trustees will see a reconfiguration of the French Immersion program at RPS to include Grade 5 effective September 2024, and an expansion to include Grades 6 effective September 2025.
TLDSB bylaws
Director of Education, Wes Hahn, presented changes made to update the TLDSB bylaws to align with the practice of the majority of school boards in Ontario. The new bylaws involve a change to the structure and schedule for Committee of the Whole Meeting of the Board, in-camera meetings, Regular Meetings of the Board, and committees that trustees serve on. In addition, trustees approved that the start time of Regular Meetings of the Board meetings will be 6:00pm commencing in the 2023-2024 school year. The updated bylaws can be reviewed here.
2023-2023 budget
Superintendent of Business Services, Tim Ellis, presented trustees with the proposed operating budget for the 2023-2024 school year. The annual budgeting process begins with the projection of student enrolment, which is completed in the fall of each year.
Highlights of the changes in this budget include:
- Increased coach and consultant complement supported by priority and partnership funding (PPF). These positions will focus on math programming for Grades 3, 6 and 9, as well as a focus on destreaming of secondary level courses.
- The creation of a math lead at the superintendent level, which has been mandated by the Ministry of Education.
- The creation of a district principal role to support student mental health.
- Enhancing the Board’s focus on Indigenous student achievements and well-being through the Indigenous Education Student Success Team.
Trustees approved the budget as presented.
2022-2023 Board Meeting schedule
Board meetings are open to the public to attend at the host location in-person. For virtual access, 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 |
| Regular Board Meeting | August 29, 2023 | 6:30 p.m. | Lindsay Education Centre (LEC) |
| Regular Board Meeting | September 26, 2023 | 6:30 p.m. | Muskoka Education Centre (MEC) |
| Regular Board Meeting | October 24, 2023 | 6:30 p.m. | Archie Stouffer Elementary School |
| Regular Board Meeting | November 28, 2023 | 6:30 p.m. | Lindsay Education Centre (LEC) |
| Organizational Meeting of the Board | December 5, 2023 | 6 p.m. | Muskoka Education Centre (MEC) |
