Rainbow Board thanks retiring Trustees for their dedicated service

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 marked the final Board meeting for three Trustees with the Rainbow District School Board, including one of the longest serving Trustees in Ontario.

In a tribute to Trustees Doreen Dewar, Judy Kosmerly and Alex McCauley, who did not seek re-election, Rainbow District School Board Chair David Farrow praised their dedicated service to the Board, its schools, staff, students and families. “I know you will miss us as much as we will miss you,” he said, in acknowledging each Trustee’s contribution to board committees, school and system-wide events, graduation ceremonies, and leadership roles.

Judy Kosmerly has been a Trustee since 2014 and has completed her third term on the Board. Throughout her 12-year tenure, she has been a champion for Equity and Inclusive Education. She has also contributed to the Audit Committee, the Special Education Advisory Committee, Accessibility Planning, Environmental Education, Governance Policy and By-Law Review, and Labour Relations. She has represented the Board at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.

Trustee Kosmerly said it has been an honour to serve. “I am so impressed by the creativity, the ingenuity, the enthusiasm, the positivity, and the genuine caring, compassion and kindness that school staff and board staff in all positions demonstrate towards students and families,” she said. “And I have seen it reflected back by students in their curiosity, their open mindedness, their creativity, their determination, and their resilience.”

Alex McCauley joined the Board in the fall of 2023 to fill a vacancy and quickly became a strong advocate for students and for staff. He has been a member of many committees, including Special Education Advisory, Parent Involvement, Equity and Inclusive Education, Governance Policy and By-Law Review, and Labour Relations. He has also served as Vice-Chair of the Board for the past two years.

“Being a trustee has been one of the finest opportunities for me to learn about the education system and to work with my fellow trustees,” said Trustee Alex McCauley. Trustee McCauley said he enjoyed the many experiences the role afforded him, from visiting schools to participating in system-wide events. He thanked staff for “being the wind beneath my wings”.

Doreen Dewar has served the Board with distinction for the past 38 years, including nine years with the former Sudbury Board of Education and 29 years with the Rainbow District School Board. Trustee Dewar served seven terms as Vice-Chair and 14 terms as Chair, including 10 consecutive years.

“Throughout nearly four decades of change and challenge, you have been a steady voice for students, families and publicly funded education,” said Kathleen Woodcock, President of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). “Your leadership has earned the respect of colleagues locally and across Ontario. As a respected voice in education governance, you have exemplified what it means to be a thoughtful and compassionate leader.”

Trustee Dewar has made presentations to Ministry Standing Committees, authored numerous newspaper articles, and chaired many committee meetings. Over the years, Trustee Dewar played a leadership role in all matters pertaining to policy and governance.

A teacher, volunteer, coach, entrepreneur and homemaker, Doreen Dewar ran her own successful retail business for 11 years and has received awards for community involvement both locally and provincially.

Trustee Dewar is the recipient of the OPSBA Dr. Harry Paiken Award of Merit, the OPSBA Bernadine Yackman Award, the Thorneloe University Mitre, and the OPSBA President’s Award for 25 years of service. She also earned a certificate and pin for 35 years of service with the Rainbow District School Board and its predecessor Board.

Trustee Dewar praised staff at the board offices, schools and the transportation consortium. “They have the expertise, but more importantly, they have the dedication to provide the best possible education. From transportation to pedagogy, to safe, clean buildings, Rainbow District School Board will continue to enable students to become life-long learners,” she said. “Thank you to each and every individual who brings learning to life in Rainbow schools. I am truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people over the years.”

“On behalf of the administrators, teachers, support staff and superintendents of the Rainbow District school Board, I join with Chair Farrow in thanking our Trustees who did not seek re-election,” said Chief Executive Officer Bruce Bourget. “It has been a privilege to work with Trustee Dewar, Trustee Kosmerly and Trustee McCauley as they fulfilled their respective roles on the Board – with students first and foremost. We are grateful for their dedicated service to our students and our schools.”

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171 ext. 7217