David Farrow acclaimed Chair / Linda Debassige acclaimed Vice-Chair

Trustee David Farrow was acclaimed Chair of Rainbow District School Board during its annual organizational meeting held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Trustee Linda Debassige was acclaimed Vice-Chair of the Board. Membership on Board standing committees was also approved.

“It is a tremendous honour for me to lead Rainbow District School Board,” said Chair Farrow. “Rainbow District School Board and the former Sudbury Board of Education have been very near and dear to my heart for the past 30 years as an educator, administrator, parent and trustee.”

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.”

David Farrow joined the Board last fall as the Trustee in Area 1 which encompasses Wards 1 and 2 in the City of Greater Sudbury. He 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 Catharine for 35 years and is dedicated to son Wilson who was drafted by the Sudbury Wolves and is currently playing Junior Hockey with the Rochester Junior Americans in the North American Hockey League.

Linda Debassige has been Vice-Chair of the Board and Vice-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee for the past two years. She continues in her role as Vice-Chair of the Board. She graduated with honours from Confederation College’s Civil Engineering Technology program in Thunder Bay and holds a Certificate in Negotiations with Osgoode Hall. She is the proud mother of two children and grandmother of one.

As First Nations Trustee for the past six years, she represents the 10 First Nations communities who have educational service agreements with the Board – Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, Dokis First Nation, M’Chigeeng First Nation, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Sheguiandah First Nation, Sheshegwaning First Nation, Wahnapitae First Nation, Whitefish River First Nation and Zhiibaahaasing First Nation.

Linda Debassige was born and raised in M’Chigeeng First Nation. First elected to M’Chigeeng First Nation Chief and Council in 2013, she became the second only female Chief to lead M’Chigeeng First Nation from 2015 to September 2023.

Linda Debassige is on the Board of Directors of the RES’EAU Centre and is a member of the Anishinabek Nation Leadership Council and the Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin. She is also the co-lead for the Assembly of First Nations Safe Drinking Water and Wastewater Legislation development and negotiations and is a member of the Assembly of First Nations Policing Task Force.

Linda Debassige is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Noojmowin Teg Health Centre, Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, Mnidoo Mnising Power, UCCM Anishinabe Police Commission, Great Spirit Circle Trail and Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre. She also served as a Trustee for the Robinson Huron Treaty. Trustee Debassige thanked her colleagues on the Board for entrusting her with the responsibility to serve as Vice-Chair for a third term.

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 Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Student Trustee Sawyer Greene
Student Trustee Sonya Jacko-Cywink

Equity and Inclusive Education Committee
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Anita Gibson
Trustee Alex McCauley

First Nation Advisory Committee (FNAC)
First Nations Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison

Labour Relations Committee
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Alex McCauley

Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)
Trustee Alex McCauley

School Year Structure Committee
Trustee Anita Gibson
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Student Trustee Sawyer Greene
Student Trustee Sonya Jacko-Cywink 

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
Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee David Farrow
Trustee Anita Gibson
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Alex McCauley

Student Senate
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Judy Hunda
Student Trustee Sawyer Greene
Student Trustee Sonya Jacko-Cywink

Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) Representative
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Bob Clement (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.