Swearing In Ceremony for Rainbow District School Board Trustees / Chair and Vice-Chair Acclaimed

Swearing In Ceremony for Rainbow District School Board Trustees

Bob Clement Acclaimed Chair/Linda Debassige Acclaimed Vice-Chair

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, Madam Justice Patricia Hennessy administered the Declaration of Office and Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to Trustees serving on Rainbow District School Board over the next four years.

Following the swearing in ceremony, Trustee Bob Clement was acclaimed to his second term as Chair of the Board and Trustee Linda Debassige was acclaimed to her second term as Vice-Chair of the Board. Membership on Board standing committees was also approved.

ESPANOLA

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

Bob Clement is the Trustee for Espanola and surrounding areas. He has been Chair of Rainbow District School Board for the past year and continues in the role. 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 fourth term as a Trustee with Rainbow District School Board, he has 24 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 48 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. It is his goal to help keep that door wide open so that all children can attain their dreams.

Linda Debassige – First Nations – Vice-Chair
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

Ogimaa Kwe (Chief) Linda Debassige has served as First Nations Trustee with Rainbow District School Board for the past four years. She represents the 10 First Nations communities who have educational service agreements with the Board. She has been Vice-Chair of the Board and Vice-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee for the past year. She continues in her role as Vice-Chair of 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 fourth 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. She is also appointed to various Committees with respect to the Environment, Housing, Infrastructure and Water, and Policing within the Anishinabek Nation, Chiefs of Ontario and Assembly of First Nations. 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. Trustee Debassige thanked her colleagues on the Board for entrusting her with the responsibility to serve as Vice-Chair for a second term.

GREATER SUDBURY

Area 1 – David Farrow
Wards 1 & 2, City of Greater Sudbury

After earning two degrees from Mount Allison University, Trustee David Farrow embarked on his path as an educator. He was a Principal with Rainbow District School Board from 2000 to his retirement in 2018. The schools that he led made immense contributions to many fundraising initiatives. Trustee Farrow is dedicated to the community with the goal of improving the quality of life for residents. He 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 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. Trustee Farrow earned an MBA in 2007. 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 playing in the Ontario Junior Hockey League for the Pickering Panthers. He looks forward to sharing his passion for education as a Trustee.

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

Anita Gibson was first elected in 2018 and is honoured to begin her second term as Trustee for the Rainbow District School Board. During her first term, Trustee Gibson served on the School Year Structure Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the Ad Hoc Committee to select the new Director of Education. Trustee Gibson hopes to be able to contribute further by serving on more committees during her second term. Also in part of the last term, Trustee Gibson was Rainbow District School Board’s alternate voting delegate at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) and participated in several OPSBA working groups with trustees from all across Ontario. Saying she is still learning, always, Trustee Gibson looks forward to further opportunities to grow and learn in the upcoming term. Just as the Board encourages its students to be lifelong learners, Trustee Gibson says she will continue to use this ethos to guide her work as a Trustee.

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

Judy Kosmerly has been a Trustee with Rainbow District School Board since 2014 and was elected to her third term in 2022. Trustee Kosmerly worked for the Provincial Government for 34 years in a number of positions including management and program supervision. She retired in November 2011. Through her years of employment, Trustee Kosmerly gained a strong understanding of budgeting and financial processes, governance and accountability requirements, legislative expectations, and the importance of teamwork – all skills that serve her well in her role as a Trustee. Trustee Kosmerly has contributed to a number of Board committees, including the Special Education Advisory Committee, the Parent Involvement Committee, and the Equity and Inclusive Education Committee. She represents the Rainbow District School Board at the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association provincial table. Trustee Kosmerly prides herself on being a lifelong learner and champions equity, diversity, inclusion, and success for all students.

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

Dena Morrison has been a Trustee since 1998. She served as Vice-Chair of the Board from 2011 to 2021. 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 24 years.

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

Doreen Dewar is the longest serving Trustee on the Board with over 34 years of experience, including nine years on the Sudbury Board of Education. She is beginning her 11th term of office as a Trustee. She has served on every Board Committee, has held the position of Vice- Chair and has served multiple terms as Chair of the Board, most recently from 2011 to 2021. Trustee Dewar has made presentations to Ministry Standing Committees, authored numerous newspaper articles, and chaired many committee meetings. She ran her own successful retail business for 11 years and has received awards for community involvement both locally and provincially. Doreen Dewar has been a teacher, volunteer, coach, entrepreneur and homemaker.

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

Judy Hunda has been extensively involved in the educational community for 36 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. Trustee Hunda 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 – Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Towns of Northeastern Manitoulin and The Islands, Gore Bay, Townships of Assiginack, Barrie Island, Billings, Burpee and Mills, Central Manitoulin, Cockburn Island, Gordon, Tehkumah and Manitoulin Locality Education

Lisa Corbiere-Addison begins her first term as an elected Trustee. A third generation teacher of First Nations descent, Trustee Corbiere-Addison has worked in education for over 27 years with the students, parents/guardians and staff of Manitoulin Island. She has served for over eight years on each of the Ontario Trillium Foundation – Grant Review Team for Manitoulin, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) First Nations, Métis and Inuit Advisory Committee at the provincial level, and as OSSTF District 3 Communication and Political Action Representative for Manitoulin Secondary School as well as many other board positions. Along with teaching, she has been a business owner for over 25 years. A mother and grandmother, she enjoys coaching and advocating for people. Through community involvement, she feels she is in touch with the heartbeat of Manitoulin Island. Trustee Corbiere-Addison is a strong supporter of sports and outdoor education. Born and raised on Manitoulin Island, she attended elementary and secondary school there then went on to complete an Honours Bachelor of Physical Education at Laurentian University in 1991 and a Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University in 1992. She has continued her education over the years taking several courses of additional qualifications. She looks forward to making healthy, positive contributions in the educational system.

MEMBERSHIP ON BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES

Accessibility Planning Committee
Trustee Judy Kosmerly

Audit Committee
Trustee David Farrow
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Dena Morrison

Environmental Education Committee
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Student Trustee Jocelyn Kuntsi
Student Trustee Darcy Trudeau

Equity and Inclusive Education Committee
Trustee Anita Gibson
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Dena Morrison

First Nation Advisory Committee (FNAC)
First Nations Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Trustee Doreen Dewar

Labour Relations Committee
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee David Farrow
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Dena Morrison

Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)
Trustee Dena Morrison

School Year Structure Committee
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Trustee Dena Morrison
Student Trustee Jocelyn Kuntsi
Student Trustee Darcy Trudeau

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Linda Debassige (alternate)
Trustee Dena Morrison (alternate)

Strategic Planning Committee
Trustee Linda Debassige
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Bob Clement
Trustee Lisa Corbiere-Addison
Trustee David Farrow
Trustee Anita Gibson
Trustee Judy Hunda
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee Dena Morrison

Student Senate
Trustee Doreen Dewar
Trustee Judy Hunda
Student Trustee Jocelyn Kuntsi
Student Trustee Darcy Trudeau

Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) Representative
Trustee Judy Kosmerly
Trustee David Farrow (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.