TranslateWhat’s happening in Rainbow Schools?
David Farrow acclaimed Chair / Alex McCauley acclaimed Vice-Chair
David Farrow acclaimed Chair / Alex McCauley acclaimed Vice-Chair
Trustee David Farrow was acclaimed to a second term as Chair of Rainbow District School Board during the organizational meeting held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Trustee Alex McCauley, who joined the Board last fall, was acclaimed Vice-Chair of the Board. Membership on Board standing committees was also approved.
“I am honoured to lead Rainbow District School Board and I thank the Board of Trustees for their ongoing support,” said Chair Farrow. He praised his colleagues on the Board for putting students first. “With students at the core of decision-making, we continue to move our priorities forward. More importantly, we are having a positive impact on student achievement and well-being.”
He added: “We all want the children and young people in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin to grow into confident, caring and contributing members of society. We will continue to be purposeful and intentional in our governance role as we support staff to enable students to achieve their full potential. Our students make us proud each and every day.”
David Farrow joined the Board in the fall of 2022 as the Trustee in Area 1 which encompasses Wards 1 and 2 in the City of Greater Sudbury. An educator and administrator with the Board for 30 years, he has long been a champion for children.
David Farrow embarked on his path in public education after obtaining two degrees from Mount Allison University. He earned an MBA in 2007, combining his interest in business with his passion for education.
David Farrow was appointed a school administrator following 15 years in the classroom. He served as a Principal with Rainbow District School Board from 2000 to his retirement in 2018. Trustee Farrow is dedicated to the community with the goal of improving the quality of life for residents. The schools that he led made immense contributions to fundraising initiatives.
David Farrow was the Chair of the Board for Maison McCulloch Hospice, where he served as treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. He has also contributed to the CIBC Run for the Cure, Sudbury Food Bank, Canadian Breast Cancer Society, Larch Street Kids, and the Rainbow Catholic Co-Ed Basketball Tournament, which he founded and ran for 14 years.
Trustee Farrow is the proud recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award, 2023 and the Celebration 2010 Community Sport Volunteer Award, Ontario Volunteer Service Award, the Rainbow District School Board Outstanding Contribution to the Co-Curricular Program Award, and the Council for Exceptional Children (Chapter 503) Appreciation Award.
He is the co-owner of FarExGeoMine Ltd., working as the CFO and Treasurer. Trustee Farrow has been married to respected geologist Dr. Catharine Farrow for 36 years and is dedicated to son Wilson who was drafted by the Sudbury Wolves and is currently playing Junior Hockey with New Jersey in the National Collegiate Development Conference.
Trustee Alex McCauley was selected to fill the trustee vacancy on the Board in the fall of 2023. He has worked in many positions of progressive responsibility, ending his career with the Greater Sudbury Police Service in an executive leadership role as Chief.
“I have learned a lot as a Trustee and have a lot more to learn and to contribute,” he said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board as we continue to support staff and students in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin. It is an honour to serve and I welcome the opportunity to give back in a leadership role as Vice-Chair.”
He added: “Since joining the Board, I have visited many schools and am always in awe of the staff, the students, the programs, and the facilities. It is pure joy to watch students grasp concepts, grow their skills, engage in sports, music and clubs, and experience a strong sense of belonging in their school and school community. Our administrators, educators and support staff are doing amazing work as instructional leaders, mentors and role models.”
After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Justice from Laurentian University, Alex McCauley earned diplomas from the Canadian Police College in Executive Development and the Ontario Police College in Police Management. He retired from the Greater Sudbury Police Service in 2002, after serving a decade as Chief. During his tenure, he appointed the first Aboriginal Liaison Officer and initiated the Aboriginal Community Police Advisory Committee. As a police officer, he actively participated in programs that engaged children and youth.
A community-minded individual, Alex McCauley is Past Chair of the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario and a member of the Board of Directors of Our Children, Our Future. He has also served on the Board of Governors at Cambrian College, the Northern Cancer Research Foundation and the Rotary Club of Sudbury Sunrisers. He is a past chair of the School Council at R.H. Murray Public School. He has contributed extensively to policing on provincial and national levels, including the implementation of crime prevention strategies across Canada.
Alex McCauley is a life member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and the recipient of an Helen Keller Achievement Award.
Alex McCauley serves as Trustee in Area 4. Area 4 encompasses Wards 7 & 8 of the City of Greater Sudbury as well as the municipalities of Killarney, French River, Markstay-Warren, St. Charles, and the Unorganized Townships of Burwash, Cox, Davis, Eden, Hawley, Hendrie, Henry, Janes, Laura, Loughrin, Secord, Servos, Street and Tilton.
MEMBERSHIP ON BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES
Accessibility Planning Committee
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Audit Committee
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Environmental Education Committee
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Student Trustee Tia Nootchtai
Student Trustee Alexandra Wilson-Zegil
Equity and Inclusive Education Committee
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Anita Gibson
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
First Nation Advisory Committee (FNAC)
First Nations Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Labour Relations Committee
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Anita Gibson
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Alex McCauley
Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)
Trustee Alex McCauley
School Year Structure Committee
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Anita Gibson
Student Trustee Tia Nootchtai
Student Trustee Alexandra Wilson-Zegil
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Trustee Alex McCauley
Trustee Doreen Dewar (alternate)
Trustee Judy Kosmerly (alternate)
Strategic Planning Committee
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison
First Nations Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee David Farrow
Trustee Anita Gibson
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Alex McCauley
Student Senate
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Judy Hunda
Student Trustee Tia Nootchtai
Student Trustee Alexandra Wilson-Zegil
Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) Representative
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison (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.