KPDSB Participates in 2025 Pre-Budget Consultations

Media Release - December 11, 2024

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) participated in the 2025 Pre-Budget Consultations with the Standing Committee on Financial and Economic Affairs during the committee’s stop in Kenora last week.

Trustee Roger Griffiths, Chair of the Board, addressed the committee. Trustee Griffiths shared statistical and demographic information about the KPDSB and detailed some of the challenges and successes of the Board.  With more than 50% of the KPDSB’s student population self-identified as First Nation, Metis or Inuit, the work in schools supporting truth and reconciliation is a pillar in the KPDSB’s new strategic plan and is embedded into all aspects of the organization. 

Trustee Griffiths shared with the committee that challenges for the board include budgeting challenges (KPDSB has experienced a reduction in per pupil funding), mental health, support for small schools in remote communities with limited resources, ability to offer necessary courses/programs due to small student populations, staff recruitment and retention (with one of the biggest barriers being limited, or in some cases, no housing available), and safety on highways and roads in the region (many KPDSB students are transported to and from school by school bus from remote locations).

Trustee Griffiths stated, “We are grateful for the opportunity to present to the committee and share some of our successes and challenges with them.  Living and working in Northwestern Ontario is a lifestyle different from other areas of the province, and as Trustees, we need to ensure government representatives from all areas of the province understand the barriers we face, which is why these opportunities are so important.”

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KPDSB Trustee appointments for 2024-2025 school year

Media Release - November 22, 2024

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) is pleased to share Board of Trustee appointments for the 2024-2025 school year.

Congratulations to Trustee Roger Griffiths, who was acclaimed as Chair of the Board. Trustee Griffiths has served as Trustee for 11 years, and this is his third term as Chair. Trustee Judi Green was acclaimed as Vice-Chair of the Board for a second term. Trustee Green has been with the Board since February 2023. The following Trustee appointments to KPDSB Board Committees were also announced at the inaugural Board Meeting earlier this month.

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KPDSB students take 1st and 3rd place in Provincial Skills Competition

New Prospect School (Dryden) intermediate students Olivia McArthur and Emerson Dale placed 1st in the province with their Crane-a-saurus Rex design and model which carried a load of 200g through the load test in 1.89 seconds!

Golden Learning Centre (Balmertown) intermediate students Liam Chantigny, Jacob Ewen, Allie Russell and Sasha Cabile also placed in the provincial championship, taking 3rd!

Background

This year KPDSB had more than 40 teams of students participate in the Regional Round of the Hydraulic Crane Competition. Three KPDSB teams placed in the top 3 in the Far North region and two of those teams placed in the top three in the province-wide championship round this week!

The skills in the Junk Drawer Races competitions are highly correlated with the Engineering and Design Process in the Ontario Science curriculum. Students use an approved materials list and scope to design, build, and adjust their projects to carry out a specific test. For the cranes, the test consisted of a timed load test where they had to lift, turn (both directions), and lower their cranes.

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KPDSB and CUPE Local 1939 Reach Tentative Settlement

Media Release - June 9, 2023

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is pleased to advise that an agreement on local terms and conditions for the 2023 to 2026 Collective Agreement has been reached with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 1939 (representing Caretaking and Trades/Maintenance Staff).

Details of the agreement remain confidential until ratification by the Local and the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. 

Christy Radbourne, Director of Education, stated, “We are pleased to reach a positive outcome with our CUPE partners in education and look forward to continuing our productive relationship over the next four years.”

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KPDSB appoints Shawnda Norlock as Superintendent of Student Achievement and Equity

Media Release - November 30, 2022

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Shawnda Norlock as Superintendent of Student Achievement and Equity. 

Norlock started teaching with the KPDSB in 1999.  She has held various system responsibilities, including technology-enabled learning special assignment teacher, principal and vice-principal at Red Lake District High School and most recently central administrator in secondary program and achievement.  Norlock has led the student success and expanded and extended program portfolios system-wide.  She holds a BSc and BEd from the University of Manitoba and an MEd in Educational and Digital Technology from Ontario Tech University.

Norlock stated, "I am honoured to serve and support the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board in a senior leadership role.  I am proud to be part of this system, where we continue to put students first and provide innovative and equitable learning opportunities for all.  It is essential that students identify their strengths, see what they can achieve and what is possible, know that they can shape their lives, and know that we believe in them.  I look forward to continuing to learn and implement best practices and programs in our schools to advance student achievement and well-being and fostering creativity, innovation, and a culture of inclusion."

Christy Radbourne, Director of Education, added, "We are thrilled to add a skilled, experienced and lifelong KPDSB educator to our Senior Team.  Shawnda is a welcome addition who will bring a strong connection to KPDSB communities and an unwavering commitment to students, equity, and student achievement."

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