Governance Structure

Members of OPSBA’s two core Work Groups play a meaningful role in advancing the Association’s identified priorities through the initiatives they accomplish. These Work Groups focus on OPSBA’s identified priorities and take on tasks that are aimed at action on the Association’s priorities.

EDUCATION PROGRAM WORK GROUP

This work group provides recommendations to the Board of Directors/Executive Council on issues related to education program reform, children’s services and social policy, including, but not restricted to: program restructuring, secondary school reform; curriculum; information technology; special education programs; College of Teachers, teacher training; early learning; school to work/college/university linkages; Education Quality and Accountability Office; quality, accountability, testing and assessment; immigration, poverty and settlement and any additional needs and services in this area.

Staff Resource

Erin Kelly, Director of Program Policy

Work Group Members (2026-27)

Angela Lloyd, Kawartha Pine Ridge, Central East
Amanda Fehrman, Hamilton-Wentworth, Central West
Carol Ann Sloat, Grand Erie, Central West
Karen McGregor, Limestone, Eastern
John McAllister, Upper Canada, Eastern
George Saarinen, Lakehead, North West
Kathryn Pierroz, Rainy River, North West
Tracy-Lynn Atkinson, Bluewater, Western
Connie Buckler, Greater Essex County, Western

Board of Directors Liaison

Jan Johnstone, Vice-President

Alternates

Jaine Klassen Jeninga, Kawartha Pine Ridge, Central East
Jennifer Jennekens, Ottawa-Carleton, Eastern
Trudy Tuchenhagen, Lakehead, North West
Patricia Smith, Avon Maitland, Western

POLICY DEVELOPMENT WORK GROUP

This work group provides recommendations to the Board of Directors/Executive Council on issues related to the analysis of legislation and the development of OPSBA policy in areas affecting education finance and governance, including, but not restricted to: education finance and education finance reform; assessment, revenue and taxation, operating grants; school capital; financial accounting and reporting; the role of the Ministry, school boards, school councils; municipal election issues; education restructuring, deregulation and privatization; and any additional needs and services in this area.

Staff Resource

Jennifer McIntyre, Director of Policy

Work Group Members (2026-27)

Michelle Aarts, Toronto, Central East
Cathy Abraham, Kawartha Pine Ridge, Central East
Jill Promoli, Peel, Central West
Michel Labonté, Upper Canada, Eastern
Tiffany Lloyd, Limestone, Eastern
Judy Kosmerly, Rainbow, North East
Heather Whitley, Algoma, North East
Pat Johansen,  Lakehead, North West
Steve Poling, Keewatin-Patricia, North West
Patricia Smith, Avon Maitland, Western
Dave Shortt, Lambton Kent, Western
Deborah Williams, Toronto, Black Trustees’ Caucus Representative

Executive Council Liaison

Jan Johnstone, Vice-President

Alternates

Donna Edwards, Durham, Central East
Jennifer Jennekens, Ottawa-Carleton, Eastern
Marie Murphy-Foran, Algoma, North East
Kathryn Pierroz, Rainy River, North West
Wayne Peeters, Bluewater, Western

OPSBA’s First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Trustees’ Council (FNIMTC) is composed of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis trustees appointed to school boards, and other Indigenous trustees elected through the municipal electoral process.

One of OPSBA’s multi-year strategic priorities is Advancing Reconciliation: First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education. We believe that through education we will move towards a Canada where the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians is founded on mutual respect and OPSBA, therefore, supports the Calls to Action of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

The FNIMTC has engaged in a range of initiatives to support the education of Indigenous students, and to ensure all students are educated about the history and culture of Indigenous peoples. Council members have successfully worked on revisions to the mandatory curriculum to include treaty education, the history and legacy of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop, the High Arctic relocation, the Powley Decision, and the impact of the Indian Act.

For the 2026-27 school year, Algoma DSB Trustee Elaine Johnston serves as the Chair of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Trustees’ Council (FNIMTC) and sits as the Council’s representative on the OPSBA Board of Directors.