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 (2025-26)

Jodi Lloyd, Simcoe County, Central East
Angela Lloyd, Kawartha Pine Ridge, Central East
Nancy Beamer, Niagara, Central West
Carol Ann Sloat, Grand Erie, Central West
Shannon Binder, Hastings and Prince Edward, Eastern
John McAllister, Upper Canada, Eastern
Greg Bowman, Algoma, Northern (E)
Leah Vanderwey, Lakehead, Northern (W)
Patricia Smith, Avon Maitland, Western
Lori-Ann Pizzolato, Thames Valley, Western
Lisa Corbiere-Addison, Rainbow, Indigenous Trustees’ Council Representative
Kathy McDonald, Peel DSB, Black Trustees’ Caucus Representative

Executive Council Liaison

Michelle Aarts, Second Vice-President

Alternates

Louise Clodd, Trillium Lakelands, Central East
Jeanne Gray, Halton, Central West
Karen McGregor, Limestone, Eastern
Heather Whitley, Algoma, Northern (E)
Donica LeBlanc, Lakehead, Northern (W)
Malek Mekawi, Greater Essex County, Western
Roberta Northmore, Lambton Kent, Indigenous Trustees’ Council Representative
Maedith Radlein, Waterloo Region, Black Trustees’ Caucus Representative

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 (2025-26)

Donna Edwards, Durham, Central East
Shelley Laskin, Toronto, Central East
Vacant, Central West
Karla Bailey, Peel, Central West
Amanda Robertson, Hastings and Prince Edward, Eastern
Michel LaBonté, Upper Canada, Eastern
Sara McCleary, Algoma, Northern (E)
Pat Johansen,  Lakehead, Northern (W)
Sherri Moore, Thames Valley, Western
Robert Hunking, Avon Maitland, Western
Howard Archibald, Ontario North East, Indigenous Trustees’ Council Representative
Donna Dickson, Ottawa-Carleton, Black Trustees’ Caucus Representative

Executive Council Liaison

Jan Johnstone, First Vice-President

Alternates

Sara Ehrhardt, Toronto, Central East
Elizabeth Wong, Hamilton-Wentworth, Central West
Jennifer Jennekens, Ottawa-Carleton, Eastern
Judy Kosmerly, Rainbow, Northern (E)
Ellen Chambers, Lakehead, Northern (W)
Julia Burgess, Greater Essex County, Western
Anne Harrigan, Simcoe County, Indigenous Trustees’ Council Representative
Kathy McDonald, Peel, Black Trustees’ Caucus Representative

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 2025-26 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 and Executive Council.