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 (2024-25)
Kelly Miller, Durham, Central East
Debbie King, Toronto, Central East (also serves as Black Trustees’ Caucus Representative
Kathy McDonald, Peel, Central West
Carol Ann Sloat, Grand Erie, Central West
Lynn Scott, Ottawa-Carleton, Eastern
Karen McGregor, Limestone, Eastern
Marie Murphy-Foran, Algoma, Northern (E)
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
Michelle Aarts, Second Vice-President, Toronto
Alternates
Christine Thatcher, Durham, Central East
Amanda Fehrman, Hamilton-Wentworth, Central West
Carole Dufort, Upper Canada, Eastern
Rosemary Pochopsky, Ontario North East, Northern (E)
Leah Vanderwey, Lakehead, Northern (W)
Jane Thomson, Bluewater, Western
Roberta Northmore, Lambton Kent, Indigenous Trustees’ Council Representative
Alexis Dawson, Toronto, 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 (2024-25)
Donna Edwards, Durham, Central East
Shelley Laskin, Toronto, Central East
Kate Baggott, Niagara, Central West
Karla Bailey, Peel, Central West
Amanda Robertson, Hastings and Prince Edward, Eastern
Michel LaBonte, Upper Canada, Eastern
Jennifer Sarlo, Algoma, Northern (E)
Pat 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
Kelly Miller, Durham. Black Trustees’ Caucus Representative
Executive Council Liaison
Kathryn Pierroz, First Vice-President, Rainy River
Alternates
Diane Lloyd, Kawartha Pine Ridge, Central East
Katherine Hauser, Upper Grand DSB, Central West
Shannon Binder, Hastings and Prince Edward, Eastern
Judy Kosmerly, Rainbow, Northern (E)
TBD, Northern (W)
Sherri Moore, Thames Valley, Western
Denise Baxter, Indigenous Trustees’ Council Representative
Stephen Linton, Durham, Black Trustees’ Caucus Representative
