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.
Membership includes two trustees from each OPSBA region and one additional alternate who attends in the absence of the regional member appointed by resolution of each Regional Council, a member of Executive Council to act as a liaison member appointed by resolution of the Board of Directors, and an optional (non-voting) senior school board officials appointed by resolution of the work group. The work group reports to the Board of Directors through Executive Council.
Staff Resource
Judith Nyman, Director of Program Policy
Work Group Members (2023-24)
Christine Thatcher, Durham, Central East
Neethan Shan, Toronto, Central East
Kathy McDonald, Peel, Central West
Carol Ann Sloat, Grand Erie, Central West
Lynn Scott, Ottawa-Carleton, Eastern
Carole Dufort, Upper Canada, Eastern
Marie Murphy-Foran, Algoma, Northern (E) (Vice-Chair)
Dave Cornish, Keewatin-Patricia, Northern (W)
Patricia Smith, Avon Maitland, Western
Jan Johnstone, Bluewater, Western (Chair)
Lisa Corbiere-Addison, Rainbow, Indigenous Trustees’ Council Representative
Executive Council Liaison
Kathryn Pierroz, Second Vice-President, Rainy River
Alternates
Carolyn Butterworth, York Region, Central East
Carla Johnson, Waterloo Region, Central West
Karen McGregor, Limestone, Eastern
TBD, Northern (E)
Leah Vanderwey, Lakehead, Northern (W)
Beth Mai, Thames Valley, Western
Roberta Northmore, Lambton Kent, Indigenous Trustees’ Council 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.
Membership includes two trustees from each OPSBA region and one alternate who attends in the absence of the regional member appointed by resolution of each Regional Council, one member of the Executive Council to act as a liaison member appointed by resolution of the Board of Directors, and an optional (non-voting) senior school board officials appointed by resolution of the work group. The work group reports to the Board of Directors through Executive Council.
Staff Resource
Jennifer McIntyre, Director of Policy
Work Group Members (2023-24)
Donna Edwards, Durham, Central East
Shelley Laskin, Toronto, Central East (Chair)
Amy Collard, Halton, Central West
Karla Bailey, Peel, Central West
Robin Hutcheon, Limestone, Eastern
Michel LaBonte, Upper Canada, Eastern
Jennifer Sarlo, Algoma, Northern (E)
Patricia Johansen, Lakehead, Northern (W)
Julia Burgess, Greater Essex County, Western (Vice-Chair)
Robert Hunking, Avon Maitland, Western
Howard Archibald, Ontario North East, Indigenous Trustees’ Council Representative
Executive Council Liaison
Kathleen Woodcock, First Vice-President, Waterloo Region
Alternates
Nadeem Mahmood, York Region, Central East
Ralf Mesenbrink, Upper Grand DSB, Central West
John McAllister, Upper Canada, Eastern
Judy Kosmerly, Rainbow, Northern (E)
Jason Nesbitt, Superior-Greenstone, Northern (W)
Jane Bryce, Lambton Kent, Western
Marilyn McLeod, Moose Factory Island DSAB, Indigenous Trustees’ Council Representative
