Rainbow District School Board Trustees Take Oath of Allegiance

Doreen Dewar Acclaimed Chair/Dena Morrison Acclaimed Vice-Chair

On Monday, December 1st, 2014, The Honourable Justice André L. Guay administered the Declaration of Office and Oath of Allegiance to Trustees serving on Rainbow District School Board over the next four years. Following the swearing in ceremony, Trustee Doreen Dewar was acclaimed Chair of the Board and Trustee Dena Morrison was acclaimed Vice-Chair of the Board. Membership on Board standing committees was also approved.

GREATER SUDBURY

Area 5 – Doreen Dewar – Chair
Ward 9 & 10, City of Greater Sudbury

Alexander Public School, Algonquin Road Public School, MacLeod Public School, R.L. Beattie Public School, Ruth MacMillan Centre, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Lockerby Composite School, Cecil Facer Secondary School.

Doreen Dewar is the longest serving trustee on the Board with a total of 26 years, including nine years on the Sudbury Board of Education. She has been Chair of the Board for the past three years and continues in the role. Prior to that, she served as Vice-Chair. Trustee Dewar has served multiple terms as Chair and been a member of every Board committee. As Chair of the Board, she made many presentations to Ministry Standing Committees. She has authored numerous newspaper articles and chaired many sub-committee meetings, including school review meetings. Doreen Dewar has been a teacher, homemaker, volunteer, coach and entrepreneur. She ran her own successful retail business for 11 years. She has received awards for community involvement both locally and provincially.

Area 4 – Dena Morrison – Vice-Chair
Ward 7 & 8, City of Greater Sudbury and the Municipalities of French River, Killarney, Markstay-Warren and St. Charles Unorganized Townships of Burwash, Cox, Davis, Eden, Hawley, Hendrie, Henry, Janes, Laura, Loughrin, Secord, Servos, Street and Tilton.

Barrydowne College, C.R. Judd Public School, Churchill Public School, Cyril Varney Public School, Markstay Public School, Monetville Public School, Westmount Avenue Public School, Northeastern Elementary School, Lasalle Secondary School.

Dena Morrison has been a trustee since 1998. She has served as Vice-Chair of the Board for the past three years and continues in that role. She also served as Vice-Chair in 2003. From 2004 to 2008, she served as Chair of the Board. Raised in New Sudbury, Dena Morrison attended Col. David Younger Public School, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School and Lasalle Secondary School.  She attended the University of Western Ontario. Trustee Morrison worked for the federal government for more than 20 years, gaining extensive experience in administration, policy development, human resource management, and budgeting. She held a number of positions of progressive responsibility at the local, provincial and national levels in Sudbury, Toronto and Ottawa/Hull. Trustee Morrison played a leadership role in community consultations to establish Northeastern Elementary School in Garson, which opened in September 2002. Trustee Morrison has also served on every Board committee as Chair or as a member over the past 16 years.

Area 1 – Gord Santala
Ward 1 & 2, City of Greater Sudbury

R.H Murray Public School, Copper Cliff Public School, Jean Hanson Public School, Princess Anne Public School, Walden Public School, Lively District Secondary School

A lifelong resident of the City of Greater Sudbury, Gord Santala has been a Rainbow District School Board trustee for 22 years. Over the years, Trustee Santala has served on a number of committees, including Special Education, Policy and Finance/Strategic Planning Committee, Discipline, Supervised Alternative Learning, Education and School Year Structure. Trustee Santala is a passionate supporter of community based schooling. As Employment Sevices Manager with the Sudbury Vocational Resource Centre, Gord Santala ensures clients receive the career planning and job search skills necessary to find and retain employment. He is keenly aware of the link between education and career success, and is committed to providing learning environments where all children can succeed.

Area 2 – Tyler Campbell
Ward 3 & 4, City of Greater Sudbury and the Unorganized Townships of Cartier, Cascaden, Foy, Hart, Harty, Hess, Moncrieff, Shining Tree and Trill

Chelmsford Public School, Lansdowne Public School, Larchwood Public School, Levack Public School, M.W. Moore Public School, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School, M.W. Moore Secondary School

Born and raised in Sudbury, Tyler Campbell is a Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School graduate. He has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Sports Administration degree from Laurentian University. Trustee Campbell has been on the Board since 2003. He served as Chair of the Board for two terms. Prior to this, he served as Vice-Chair. Over the years, Trustee Campbell has been a member of several committees including the Policy and Finance/Strategic Planning Committee, Negotiating Committee, the Technology Committee and the Accessibility Committee.  He has also served as the Rainbow District School Board’s delegate to the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). In the fall of 2005, he was appointed to the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council of Ontario, which advises the Minister of Community and Social Services on accessibility for Ontarians with disabilities.  Trustee Campbell is the Manager of Children’s Services at the City of Greater Sudbury. He is currently completing a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University.

Area 3 – Judy Kosmerly
Ward 5 & 6, City of Greater Sudbury

Pinecrest Public School, Redwood Acres Public School,  Valley View Public School, Confederation Secondary School

Judy Kosmerly worked for the provincial government for 34 years, retiring in November 2011. Most of her work experience centered on the provision of services and supports to vulnerable persons, especially persons with a disability.  She played a leadership role in the closure of the last Developmental Services facilities, as well as in the creation of a single regional access centre for adults seeking developmental service in their home communities.  She developed several information booklets for families, worked in partnership with local services to implement planning and support programs, and received a Deputy Minister Award in 2012 for Outstanding Achievement in Partnership.  She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association – Sudbury/Manitoulin since September 2012 and is a strong supporter of community inclusion for all persons.

Area 6 – Judy Hunda
Ward 11 & 12, City of Greater Sudbury

Adamsdale Public School, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School, Ernie Checkeris Public School, Queen Elizabeth Public School, Sudbury Secondary School

Judy Hunda has been extensively involved in the educational community for almost 25 years locally and provincially. Elected in 1997, she has represented residents of Area 6 in the City of Greater Sudbury since the creation of Rainbow District School Board. She was Chair of the Board in 2008 and 2009. She served as Vice-Chair of the Board from 2004 to 2008. Trustee Hunda has been a member of all Board committees and has chaired most of them. Prior to being elected to the Board, Judy Hunda worked with the Province on the creation of school councils in Ontario, established one of the city’s first school councils before they were mandated, then chaired two school councils and sat on a third simultaneously.  She was also actively involved in the Board’s Parent Involvement Committee. She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). She has also been invited to be a member of a number of Ministry panels and round table discussions. A lifelong resident of Sudbury, she is a graduate of MacLeod Public School and Lockerby Composite School. Trustee Hunda says her spirit continues to be uplifted when she witnesses the world through the eyes of children.

MANITOULIN

Area 7 – Larry Killens
Towns of Northeastern Manitoulin and The Islands and Gore Bay, Townships of Assiginack, Barrie Island, Billings, Burpee and Mills, Central Manitoulin, Cockburn Island, Gordon, Tehkumah and Manitoulin Locality Education

Assiginack Public School, Central Manitoulin Public School, Little Current Public School, Charles C. McLean Public School, Manitoulin Secondary School

Larry Killens was a trustee with Rainbow District School Board from 2000 to 2003, and, following one term, ran in the municipal election on Manitoulin Island.  He returned to the Board in 2006. He is a member of many committees, including Policy and Finance/Strategic Planning. He has also represented the Board at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA). Trustee Killens retired from the Ontario Provincial Police in 1997 with 30 years of service. During his career, he received the Exemplary Service Medal and the Ontario Police Officer of the Year Award from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Active in the community, he has served as Chair of Manitoulin Mental Health. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Aid Society of Sudbury/Manitoulin and the South East Manitoulin Lions Club. He was also a charter member of Manitoulin VCARS and has served as a Paralegal on Manitoulin Island. In his last term on Rainbow District School Board, Trustee Killens was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Canadian War Veterans Medal for service to community. Trustee Killens currently serves as a legal consultant on Manitoulin Island. He is also a member of the Canadian War Veterans of South East Manitoulin and the Michael’s Bay Historical Society.

ESPANOLA

Area 8 – Bob Clement
Town of Espanola, Townships of Baldwin, Nairn and Hyman, Sables-Spanish Rivers and Espanola Locality Education

A.B. Ellis Public School, S. Geiger Public School, Webbwood Public School, Espanola High School

Bob Clement was born and raised in McKerrow in the Espanola area and 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. This is his second term as a trustee with Rainbow District School Board. As a trustee, he served on many committees, including Policy and Finance/Strategic Planning Committee, Negotiating/Labour Relations, and the Special Education Advisory Committee. He was Chair of the Literacy Committee. Bob Clement has been a volunteer fire fighter for 38 years and was promoted to Fire Chief in 1992. He has been married to Bonnie for 41 years. After watching their three children grow through the school system in Espanola and on to university, he is well aware that having the doors to education open to all is the secret to success. It is his goal to help keep that door wide open so that all children can attain their dreams.

First Nations – Grace Fox
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, Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Whitefish River First Nation and Zhiibaahaasing First Nation

Grace Fox represents the 11 First Nations communities who have educational service agreements with the Board and is a member of First Nation Advisory Committee. She joined the Board on October 17, 2005. In August 2006, she was elected First Nations Director on the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, a position she held until 2009. Grace Fox is a band member of M’Chigeeng First Nation. She has a Master of Art in Education from Central Michigan University as well as a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts from Laurentian University. A member in good standing of the Ontario College of Teachers, Trustee Fox has Supervisory Officer Qualifications. Trustee Fox has worked as a Director of Education in Wikwemikong and Fort Hope. She has also been a Principal and Vice-Principal in M’Chigeeng, Fort Albany, Fort Hope and Christian Island. She has over 40 years of experience as a teacher and guidance counsellor in the provincial and federal school systems. She is one of the founding members of the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation and a former Chair of the West Bay Board of Education and the KenjgewinTeg Educational Institute Board of Directors. Trustee Fox currently serves as the Robinson Huron Regional Chiefs/Union of Ontario Indians’ representative on the Laurentian University Native Education Council and is the Council’s representative on the Northern Ontario School of Medicine Aboriginal Reference Group. She is a recipient of the Laurentian University Native Education Person of Distinction Award. She has served on the Board of the Manitoulin Health Centre, the Children’s Aid Society (Sudbury) and TVO. Fluent in the Ojibwe language, Trustee Fox has been married for 52 years and has 21 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

MEMBERSHIP ON BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES

Accessibility Planning Committee
Trustee Judy Kosmerly

Audit Committee
Trustee Tyler Campbell
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Dena Morrison

Environmental Education Committee
Trustee Gord Santala
Student Trustee Liam Brunton

Equity and Inclusive Education Committee
Trustee Grace Fox
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Gord Santala

First Nation Advisory Committee (FNAC)
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Grace Fox

Labour Relations Committee
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Dena Morrison

Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Gord Santala

School Year Structure Committee
Trustee Tyler Campbell
Trustee Dena Morrison
Student Trustee Liam Brunton

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Dena Morrison
Trustee Bob Clement (alternate)
Trustee Judy Hunda (alternate)

Strategic Planning Committee
Trustee Tyler Campbell
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Grace Fox
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Larry Killens
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Dena Morrison
Trustee Gord Santala

Student Senate
Trustee Tyler Campbell
Trustee Judy Hunda
Student Trustee Liam Brunton

Supervised Alternative Learning (SAL) Committee
Trustee Tyler Campbell
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Grace Fox
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Larry Killens
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Dena Morrison
Trustee Gord Santala

Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) Representative
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Tyler Campbell (alternate)

-30-

Media Contact:

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