Boardroom Briefs: March 11, 2026

Trustee Elliott stated: “Earlier this evening during Private Session, the private session minutes were approved from the February 18, 2026, Regular Board Meeting. Associate Superintendent Gollogly provided a Safe Schools update, and Trustees discussed some Personnel updates. There was no other business conducted, or motions passed in Private Session.”

MOVED BY: Trustee Elliott and seconded by Trustee Scott that the Private Session Report be received. Carried.

Chair Lloyd stated: “I would like to begin by recognizing the tremendous success of the 2026 LDSB Skills Competition. This event provided meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for both elementary and secondary students, and showcased the talent, creativity, and skill development happening across our system. Opportunities like this allow students to explore a wide range of interests and future pathways, while building confidence and practical skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

A sincere thanks to the Expanded Opportunities Team for their hard work and dedication in bringing this event to life. Their efforts made it possible for many students to participate, and the success of the day truly highlights the breadth of pathways available to LDSB students. We are grateful for their commitment to supporting student success in innovative and engaging ways.

I would also like to acknowledge the many ways our schools recognized Black History Month throughout February. It was wonderful to see students and staff engaging in meaningful learning through a variety of activities and celebrations that highlighted history, culture, and contributions. These experiences helped foster reflection, understanding, and dialogue across our school communities, and reinforced the importance of learning from diverse voices and perspectives. 

Three days ago, we also marked International Women’s Day. It was an opportunity to reflect on the contributions and leadership of women in our schools and communities, including women, trans women, and non-binary people who continue to shape our classrooms, our workplaces, and our society in meaningful ways. It is also a reminder that around the world many women are still advocating for basic rights, safety, and opportunity. I look forward to a time when a day like this is no longer necessary. When equity and respect are simply the standard everywhere. But until then, it remains important that we recognize both the progress that has been made and the work that still lies ahead.      

As we look ahead, I would like to remind families, students, staff, and community members that the LDSB Budget Survey remains open for the next couple of weeks. This is an important opportunity to provide feedback directly to Trustees as we begin planning for the 2026–2027 school year budget. We encourage everyone to share their perspectives and help inform the decisions that shape our system moving forward.

Finally, with March Break just around the corner, I would like to extend best wishes to our students, families, and staff. I hope this break provides an opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with friends and family, as we prepare to move into the second half of the semester and look ahead to the spring months.”

Director Burra stated: “Good evening, Trustees and the viewing public. Based on recent weather, it appears winter is not quite done with us, but we have also enjoyed some glimpses of spring. Given the fluctuations we have seen from day to day, and even within a day, I am sure everyone is looking forward to more spring like weather. 

As I indicated in my last update in February, as we head further into the spring season, preparations for 2026-2027 continue to ramp up. A critical component of this planning and preparation is the overall budget. At this point, we are anticipating the release of the provincial budget and board specific allocations at some point in April. With Queen’s Park reconvening later this month, we are hopeful for the release of further information within a few weeks.  So, while we continue to prepare for next year and projecting enrolment for September, some critical decisions will have to wait until we see our specific budget allocations.

As Trustees are aware, there have been a number of engagement opportunities for students, families, and staff in the past few weeks: virtual school interest for 2026-27, the school year calendar which we approved at the end of February, and the budget survey that is currently live are prime examples. As a reminder, we will also be putting out a Family Engagement survey this spring.  

This evening there are three reports on the agenda: one for action and two for information. Given the requirements related to Trustee Distribution, the board will need to provide guidance to staff prior to the deadline later this month. Additionally, we have an operational plan focused on support for multi-language learners, and another regarding the budget development cycle for 2026-2027. We also have a presentation this evening focused on Dual Credit and School Within a College or SWAC. 

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the local skills competition at St. Lawrence College.  Several hundred LDSB students participated in the event that not only showcases the talents of Limestone students in trades related areas, but also the St. Lawrence facility and the importance of our partnership with the college. As a result of the local competition, Limestone will have 16 elementary students advancing to provincials in four different competitions, and 28 secondary students advancing in 21 different competitions. The Provincial Skills Competition runs from May 4-6, 2026, in Toronto at the Congress Centre.

With March Break quickly coming upon us, I hope all students and staff who get this break enjoy some time before the stretch run of the spring.

That concludes my report, Chair Lloyd.”

Trustee Ruttan provided Trustee McGregor’s report she stated: “On Saturday, February 28 I attended the OPSBA Board Meeting. When the discussion arose regarding the composition of the “Regional Leadership Team” I was very vocal explaining the need for equal representation for all boards within a region.

As a result, OPSBA has decided to scratch the wording to eliminate any description of the composition of the regional group, making the representation status quo. That means that there won’t be a Regional Leadership Team. Each board within the region will continue to have equal voice in their region, with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the region sitting on the OPSBA Board of Directors, and the OPSBA Rep will continue to vote for LDSB at the membership meetings.

Our regional voice and concerns will flow through either Susan Humphries as Chair or Shannon Binder as Vice-Chair. Each time that we vote for our Regional Chair & Vice-Chair, all boards will have the opportunity to elect someone they feel will do a good job of communicating, sharing and voicing our concerns, and identifying issues common to our region.

This change will only take place if the Amendment above is approved by the OPSBA Board on March 14. I hope the Limestone Board supports this change to secure equal voice.” 

Trustee Ruttan noted that she had been tasked with bringing forward an amendment to Appendix B, the refreshed governance model, for consideration at the upcoming meeting. The proposed amendment responds to concerns raised by the Limestone District School Board at a recent Board of Directors meeting regarding the composition of the Regional Leadership Team. Specifically, the amendment would revise the proposed amended and restated By-law No. 5 by removing the newly proposed wording related to the structure of the Regional Leadership Team in Section 7.03, thereby reverting to the original governance model.

Trustee Ruttan explained that, under the restored model, each member board would continue to hold one vote, with the Regional Chair and Vice-Chair elected to represent the region at the provincial board. The Regional Leadership Team would function as a body of equal board representatives, with the Chair and Vice-Chair conveying positions and direction on behalf of the region. This change would eliminate the proposed work group structure and maintain the existing governance approach.

Trustee Ruttan further advised that the amendment was expected to be approved at a special meeting, followed by ratification at the regular Board meeting scheduled for March 14. Subject to approval, Limestone District School Board would then be able to proceed with its OPSBA elections and appoint representatives that were deferred during the previous committee allocation process, with those elections anticipated to take place in April.

Student Trustee Kolosov stated: “Good evening Trustees, 

Our Inter School Council (ISC) meeting for this month took place on March 3, and we started our meeting off on a very high note, with a personally made land acknowledgement, developed and presented by the Frontenac SS student representatives. In a previous ISC meeting, Liv Rondeau shared a presentation on how to create personalized land acknowledgements and we learned about the importance of recognising histories, commitments, and responsibilities towards honouring the land we collectively live upon.

As we’ve now entered well into the second semester, ISC members participated in a collaborative session to identify the priorities and concerns of students in their schools over the semester and beyond. What we noticed were both new and recurring themes of student engagement, wellbeing, and the smaller structures in place that have a role in student voice. They found opportunities for the early involvement of Grade 9s, while still guiding senior students through the uncertainties and stresses that come with postsecondary would be very beneficial. Students also would like representation of the diverse cultures and identities at each of our schools, as well as the support for all students to have a place in school life. Next, we revisited what works well and the areas that could be improved at their school councils, for example, the communication systems we have in place to communicate with ISC members, their staff advisors, and the school councils.

Over the course of the semester, schools have begun to wrap up fundraising efforts for Youth United with the United Way KFL&A. With a total of 9 secondary schools across the LDSB participating, we have so far received cheques from four out of the nine schools, with more contributions to come. All of the funds raised will go to supporting three local and student-supporting organisations ISC had the opportunity to tour in October: the Boys and Girls Club, Youth Diversion, and the Food Sharing Project.

Finally, we would like to give a warm welcome to the incoming Student Trustees for the 2026/2027 school year; Audrey Bateman, representing the rural school communities, Mathew Katz, representing the urban school communities, and Victoria McCourt, representing the Indigenous students of the LDSB. As Mia, Siham, and I soon transition out of our roles, we are looking forward to transitioning the incoming Student Trustees for the upcoming school year.

 Thank you!”

Superintendent Young presented the Trustee Determination and Distribution Report for the 2026 municipal election for Trustee consideration and approval. Trustees were advised that the report is required to be submitted to the Ministry by the end of March in the year of the election and is substantially similar to the report reviewed at the February 18 board meeting, with updated data and recommendations included for decision-making purposes. Based on the 2026 electoral population and the requirements of provincial regulation, it was confirmed that the Limestone District School Board remains entitled to nine elected Trustees, in addition to one appointed Trustee, consistent with the Board’s current structure.

Superintendent Young outlined the first component of the recommendation, which proposes the continued designation of the municipalities of North Frontenac, Central Frontenac, and Addington Highlands as low population municipalities. It was noted that the Board has maintained these designations since 1998 and that such designation provides for enhanced representation for municipalities with smaller populations, in accordance with Ontario Regulation 412/00. The guiding principles supporting this designation were reviewed, including reasonable representation for low population municipalities, recognition of historic and geographic communities, alignment of geographic areas where possible, and avoidance of undue deviation from representation by population.

The second component of the recommendation addressed the calculation of electoral quotients, noting that once municipalities are designated as low population, their electoral quotients must be increased by one, as prescribed by regulation. Updated population data for both the 2022 and 2026 elections were reviewed, demonstrating that the application of low population adjustments results in an overall Trustee distribution that continues to support nine elected Trustees, with representation distributed across rural and urban areas, including five Trustees within the City of Kingston.

The third component of the recommendation proposed maintaining the same ward-based Trustee distribution for the 2026 election as was approved for the 2022 election. Staff explained that population changes since the last election have been minimal and that there have been no municipal boundary changes affecting ward configurations. The existing distribution reflects previous Trustee decisions to balance electoral population, geographic cohesion, school alignment, and community representation across northern, rural, and urban regions of the Board. Staff concluded the presentation by advising that the recommendations collectively support continuity, regulatory compliance, and equitable representation, and invited questions from Trustees.

MOTION MOVED by Trustee Godkin and seconded by Trustee Ruttan that In accordance with Ontario Regulation 412/00, Section 4. (1)(a) and Section 4. (2) made under the Education Act, the Limestone District School Board: 

a. Designate the municipalities of North Frontenac, Central Frontenac, and Addington Highlands as low population municipalities. 

b.  The sum of the electoral quotients for these municipalities be increased by one; and 

c.  Designate the distribution of Trustees to the various wards for 2026 election to be the same as the final distribution as determined for the 2022 election. All three were Carried after Trustee discussion.

Trustee Maracle abstained from the vote.

Superintendent Young presented the proposed budget development schedule for the 2026–2027 budget cycle, as outlined in the agenda package. Trustees were advised that the Ministry of Education had not yet announced the 2026–2027 funding benchmarks, noting that in the previous year the announcement was made on February 23, with related funding information released concurrently. It was acknowledged that this timing presents challenges, as budget estimates are required to be submitted to the Ministry by the end of June. Staff reported that multi‑year enrolment projections are currently under development using census data, consultant analysis, and local school‑based information, including registration trends and class size data. While adjustments are being made based on this feedback, staff indicated that there is limited confidence at this time in realizing a projected enrolment increase for 2026–2027.

Trustees were informed that a budget survey was released on February 23 and will close on March 23, with results to be compiled and reported back to the Board. The budget development timeline was reviewed, including a budget meeting scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., following the Committee of the Whole, at which time enrolment projections and survey results will be presented, recognizing that enrolment projections are a key driver of funding.

At the May 23 meeting, staff will provide an overview of core education funding and, if available, preliminary operating revenue information. It is anticipated that at the June 3, 2026, Budget Committee meeting, staff will present preliminary operating expenditures, preliminary capital revenue and expenditure budgets, and the draft consolidated budget forms for review. An additional meeting has been scheduled for June 10, should further discussion be required to finalize and approve the budget in advance of submission deadlines.

Associate Superintendent Sartor presented an overview of the Multilingual Language Learning (MLL) team’s work in support of Board and system priorities, as outlined in the report provided to Trustees. The presentation highlighted key areas of focus within the MLL Operational Plan, including enhancing educator and administrator understanding of the STEP oral language assessment tool, supporting the implementation of Lexia English as a tiered intervention strategy, developing system processes to better identify and support multilingual learners with potential special education needs, strengthening instructional strategies in collaboration with the Mathematics team, and expanding community partnerships in support of student achievement and well‑being.

An overview was provided of the evolution of MLL programming in response to the increasing number and complexity of multilingual learners across the system. Megan Bell, LDSB MLL Teacher outlined initiatives implemented since 2020, including improved communication tools, expanded community partnerships, trauma‑informed professional learning, curriculum‑aligned assessment updates, and the development of centralized resources to support educators. It was reported that the MLL team currently provides direct support to approximately 350 elementary students in English programs, 40 elementary students in French Immersion, and 95 secondary students, representing learners from over 80 countries, with indirect support provided through classroom collaboration and resource sharing.

Ms. Bell further highlighted professional learning, school‑based initiatives, and community engagement activities undertaken to support multilingual learners, including staff presentations, professional activity days, extracurricular programs, culturally responsive supports, and participation in community events. Particular emphasis was placed on collaboration with community partners, including KEYS, through the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) program. Representatives from KEYS, Alex Debiens and Fereshteh Shaer Zadeh outlined the scope of settlement services provided to newcomer students and families and described targeted programming implemented at Lord Strathcona Public School to address student well‑being, social integration, and conflict resolution through trauma‑responsive, strength‑based group programming. 

The presentation concluded by emphasizing the alignment of this work with the Board’s Strategic Plan, specifically the priority of improving responsiveness to families, staff, and community partners. Trustees were advised that the SWIS partnership is a relatively new initiative within the Board, currently supported by four settlement workers, and that staff look forward to strengthening this collaboration to further support students and families.