Bob Clement Chair and Linda Debassige Vice-Chair of Rainbow District School Board

Rainbow District School Board held its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. Trustee Bob Clement will serve as Chair of the Board. Trustee Linda Debassige will serve as Vice-Chair of the Board. Membership on Board standing committees was also approved.

Bob Clement is the Trustee for Espanola and surrounding areas. Born and raised in McKerrow, he attended Espanola High School. He worked at Domtar, the town mill, as a lab analyst for 38 years and retired as a lab technologist. He obtained his diploma in analytical chemistry at the age of 50.

Bob Clement was a Trustee on the North Shore District School Board for nine years and the Espanola Board of Education for three years. In his third term as a Trustee with Rainbow District School Board, he has 23 years of experience in public education.

Trustee Clement has served on many committees, including Policy and Finance/Strategic Planning Committee, Negotiating/Labour Relations, and the Special Education Advisory Committee. He has also been Rainbow District School Board’s representative at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.

A volunteer firefighter for 47 years, Bob Clement was promoted to the position of Fire Chief in 1992. A lifelong learner, he believes that education opens doors and is the key to success.

“Education enables children and young adults to achieve their dreams,” says Chair Clement. “My goal is to ensure that all students in Rainbow Schools have opportunities to reach their full potential.”

He adds: “I look forward to working with Trustees, staff, students, parents/guardians and partners as we continue to focus on well-being and achievement.”

Ogimaa Kwe (Chief) Linda Debassige has served as First Nations Trustee with Rainbow District School Board for the past three years. She represents the 11 First Nations communities who have educational service agreements with the Board.

Ogimaa Kwe Linda Debassige was born and raised in M’Chigeeng First Nation. She graduated with honours from Confederation College’s Civil Engineering Technology program in Thunder Bay. She is the proud mother of two children and grandmother of one.

First elected to M’Chigeeng First Nation Chief and Council in 2013, Ogimaa Kwe Debassige became the second only female Chief to lead M’Chigeeng First Nation in 2015. She is currently serving her third term.

Ogimaa Kwe Debassige is on the Board of Directors of the Noojmowin Teg Health Centre, Mnidoo Mnising Power General Partnership Inc., Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, RES’EAU Centre and is a Trustee with the Robinson Huron Treaty.

Ogimaa Kwe Debassige is a past member of the Board of Directors for the UCCM Anishinabe Police Commission, Great Spirit Circle Trail and Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre.

“As a Trustee, our first responsibility is to the children who receive a beautiful education from Rainbow District School Board,” says Vice-Chair Linda Debassige.

“I am honoured to be the First Indigenous Trustee to serve as Vice-Chair of the Board. I will be guided by humility, respect, honesty and love as I fulfill this responsibility.”

MEMBERSHIP ON BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES

Accessibility Planning Committee
Trustee Judy Kosmerly

Audit Committee
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Dena Morrison
Trustee Margaret Stringer

Environmental Education Committee
Trustee Judy Hunda
Student Trustee Michael Yao

Equity and Inclusive Education Committee
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Judy Kosmerly

First Nation Advisory Committee
Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Kerrie St. Jean
Trustee Margaret Stringer

Labour Relations Committee
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Dena Morrison
Trustee Margaret Stringer

Parent Involvement Committee
Trustee Judy Kosmerly

School Year Structure Committee
Trustee Dena Morrison
Trustee Kerrie St. Jean
Student Trustee Michael Yao

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Dena Morrison (alternate)
Trustee Margaret Stringer (alternate)

Strategic Planning Committee
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Anita Gibson
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Dena Morrison
Trustee Kerrie St. Jean
Trustee Margaret Stringer

Student Senate
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Kerrie St. Jean
Student Trustee Michael Yao

Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) Representative
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Anita Gibson (alternate)

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Media Contact:

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