Boardroom Briefs: August 20, 2025

Earlier this evening during Private Session:

The private session minutes were approved from the following:

• June 18, 2025, Regular Board Meeting
• Director Burra provided a Legal Update

There was no other business conducted, or motions passed in Private Session.

Chair McGregor provided the following report:

"As we prepare to welcome students and families back into our schools on Wednesday, September 3, I want to take a moment to reflect on the excitement and promise that a new school year brings.

Each September marks a fresh beginning—an opportunity for students to grow, for families to engage, and for staff to collaborate in creating vibrant learning environments. This year, we look forward to building on our shared commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of every student, in every classroom, and every school across Limestone.

The start of the school year is not only a time of renewal but also a chance to strengthen relationships, foster innovation, and celebrate the diverse strengths of our communities. I am confident that through collaboration, dedication, and a shared vision for student success, we will achieve great things together.

On behalf of the Board, I extend a warm welcome back to all students, families, and staff. Let’s make this year one of meaningful learning, growth, and achievement.

This concludes my report."

Director Burra provided the following report:

"Good evening Trustees and members of the public joining us for this meeting. I am pleased to provide you with my update tonight as we prepare for the start of the 2025-2026 school year in two weeks.

I hope everyone found themselves with some holiday time this summer to enjoy time with family and friends. In reflecting on this summer, it is important for everyone to have the opportunity to recharge and reflect on the important work we do collaboratively to support children and youth in the Limestone community.

With the summer season, schools were not running as they do for the other ten months of the year. However, there was lots of activity for students this July and August. Similar to last summer, over 260 students participated in Camp Read A lot, and over 700 secondary students participated in summer session earning credits. In addition, almost 570 students participated in outdoor education programming offered at some schools, at Gould Lake, and/or on outdoor education trips. Trustees will receive a report in the fall providing more details regarding the range of summer programs that occurred in July and August. In addition, a considerable amount of facilities work occurs in schools during the summer and Manager Fowler will provide a summary of this work in September.

We are greatly looking forward to welcoming back staff and well over 20,000 students as the school year starts. While over 99% of students will be in face-to-face classrooms, Limestone continues to offer a virtual option for some students. Regardless of the format of learning, Limestone will continue to do its best to meet students where they are and support student well-being. Mental health and well-being are essential conditions for achievement and learning for all students.

Schools will be reopening next week with many staff getting ready for the new school year and we look forward to Limestone schools welcoming students back on Wednesday, September 3, with a full range of activities to be available for students in the 2025-2026 school year. As a reminder, we are starting the school year with a PA day on Tuesday, September 2. With almost all labour agreements behind us, we can expect stability on that front for the next couple of years. We all know that extracurriculars like sports and clubs, full arts programming, and field trips are of tremendous value. As Trustees know, all of these student activities are made possible by the generous time provided by staff and some community members. I think I speak for everyone in expressing our gratitude to the staff and community members that provide these valuable experiences and services to Limestone students.

This evening there are some routine, cyclical reports coming to Trustees, but we also look forward to sharing with you an overview of a new administrative procedure focused on Human Rights, and an award to honour the late former Trustee Judith Brown.

As Trustees know, considerable work occurs by central departments: Facilities, Finance, Human Resources, and ITS during the summer months to ensure schools are ready for the school year. I would like to acknowledge staff in all of those departments for the important work they do throughout the year, but also during the summer months.

Finally, I should also note that Limestone hosted its 12th successful Summer Institute earlier today with approximately 200 LDSB educators attending to learn from each other and continue to hone their craft. A wide range of learning topics were available to support educator learning K-12. We are very pleased to be able to provide this valuable learning opportunity to staff. This is just one example of learning that Limestone educators have been participating in this summer. As we all know, learning is a journey, not a destination, and we must always model learning to support the system, and do the best we can to serve every student, in every classroom, in every school.

Thank you, Chair McGregor. That completes my report for this evening."

Chair McGregor provided an OPSBA report.

There was no Student Trustee report.

The purpose of this report is to recommend a short-term borrowing resolution for the 2025-2026 school year to meet cash flow requirements.

The Education Act requires the Treasurer of the Board to furnish to the bank a copy of the resolution(s) authorizing the borrowing of funds.

Operating: Periodically the Board is required to borrow funds for current operating purposes to provide interim financing until revenues are received from Municipalities and the Province. The Board did not have any operating borrowing requirements during 2024-2025. The Board is subject to cash flow decisions from the Province and should have a borrowing resolution in place to provide interim financing if our cash flow situation should change.

The operating resolution authorizes the signing officers of the Board to borrow operating funds when required to meet short-term cash flow needs. The dollar amount of the operating borrowing requirement has been set to a maximum of $20 Million and is the same amount as in 2024-2025.

Capital: The Board is also required to arrange short-term bridge financing during the construction of major capital projects, capital additions/retrofits and for School Condition Improvement projects.

The Board currently has credit facilities to cover all the required borrowing for the School Condition Improvement projects.

The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is the Board’s primary banker, a relationship that dates back to 1966. The banking services agreement with RBC extends to April 30, 2027.

Recommendations: That the Board authorize the signing officers of the Board to enter into agreements with the Royal Bank of Canada for the following:

1. The borrowing of funds to meet operating requirements to a maximum of $20 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The purpose is to report on the Interim Financial Operating expenditures for the period from September 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 (Quarter 3).

The Interim Financial Report – Operating Expenditures for the period ending February 28, 2025, was presented to the Board on April 23, 2025. This report provided operating expenditures for the period from September 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025 (Quarter 2).

The Interim Financial Report – Operating Expenditures for the period ending May 31, 2025 (Quarter 3), is presented in a similar format to the 2024-2025 operating budget, indicating the amount spent by expenditure category and the associated percentage. To see the full report, please review the Board Meeting Agenda (pg. 25).

As of Quarter 3, $238.96M of the $312.7M operating budget, or 76%, has been spent. This is 9% lower than the 85% recorded in the same quarter last year. The difference is primarily due to additional expenditures for Bill 124 Remedy payments included in the previous year's results.

It is important to note that expenditures are calculated based on payments made within the specified period. Some expenditures may be non-cyclical, potentially resulting in higher or lower amounts within a given timeframe. For further details, refer to Appendix 1.

The Board is on target to end the 2024-2025 fiscal year with a balanced budget as projected.

The purpose of this report is to share with Trustees Administrative Procedure 107: Human Rights (AP 107). This administrative procedure sets out the Board’s approach to creating equitable, inclusive, and accessible learning and working environments that are free from discrimination and harassment.

This administrative procedure supports the Strategic Plan goal of fostering student learning, achievement, and well-being by ensuring all members of the Limestone District School Board (LDSB) community feel respected, safe, and supported.

Background
In the past few years, the Ministry of Education has provided human rights training for Trustees and senior leaders in school boards. Additionally, staff have provided updates to Trustees regarding student census data, staff workforce data, school climate data, and human rights complaints’ data. The LDSB recognizes the existence and impacts of historical and ongoing systemic discrimination. AP 107 outlines the Board’s commitment to anti-colonial, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and anti-discriminatory practices, and to creating respectful environments for students, staff, and the broader community. The procedure applies to all LDSB community members and covers conduct both within, and beyond, the physical school/work environment, including online spaces and off-site events.

AP 107 affirms LDSB’s commitment to legislative and policy compliance, and upholding the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. AP 107 also respects and recognizes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

AP 107 addresses systemic discrimination identified through LDSB Student Census results, Staff Workforce Census and Belonging Survey, Human Rights Reporting Tool data, and School Climate Surveys, which revealed disproportionalities and inequities affecting students’ access to learning, sense of belonging, and feelings of safety.

AP 107 clarifies roles and responsibilities by establishing clear expectations for all community members, staff, and leaders, along with consistent complaint processes for different interest groups.

AP 107 creates accountability through data collection and reporting, ensuring progress is tracked, shared, and used to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

Current Status
The creation and implementation of Administrative Procedure 107: Human Rights provides clarity in the following areas:

• Clear definitions of key human rights concepts such as discrimination, harassment, equity, prejudice, and reprisal.
• A comprehensive list of protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code (e.g., race, disability, creed, gender identity, age).
• Detailed forms of discrimination, including subtle discrimination, microaggressions, and systemic discrimination.
• Specific complaint mechanisms for different parties (students, employees, Trustees, members of the public).
• Defined roles and responsibilities for all LDSB community members, employees, managerial staff, the Human Rights and Equity Advisor, and the Director of Education.
• Requirements for human rights learning and awareness, including regular training and review cycles.
• Annual data collection, analysis, and public reporting on human rights trends.
• Prohibitions on reprisal and vexatious complaints, with disciplinary measures for violations.

Next Steps and Communication Plan
The following are the next steps in the implementation of Administrative Procedure 107: Human Rights:

• Ensure ongoing communication and awareness for staff, students, union and labour partners, families and the community on AP 107.
• Continue annual analysis of human rights data to identify systemic issues and gaps, and use this information to inform decision making.
• Publicly release the annual human rights report on the Board’s website.
• Review related administrative procedures to ensure alignment with AP 107.

For more information, please view the Board Meeting Agenda.

The purpose of this report is to provide Trustees with an update on the Judith Brown Black Excellence Award.

Background
With the passing of Trustee Judith Brown last year, a number of members of the Limestone DSB community voiced their support for creating an award in her honour. Support for honouring Trustee Judith Brown came from Trustees, Limestone staff, and members of the Umoja Black Advisory Council that Trustee Brown helped found, and lead. Consequently, the Judith Brown Black Excellence Award was established in the spring of 2025 to honour Judith’s legacy.

The Judith Brown Black Excellence Award: In honour of Trustee Judith Brown, who was a dedicated Black educator who advocated for education and equity, this award recognizes a Black student who exemplifies leadership, perseverance, and commitment to advancing inclusive education. As a champion for student success and diversity, Judith Brown worked tirelessly to promote Black Canadian and local history while creating opportunities for all learners, fostering a more equitable and inspiring learning environment.

This award is given annually to a graduating Black LDSB student who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, community involvement, and a passion for promoting Black Canadian history. Through their actions, the recipient carries forward Judith Brown’s legacy, making a meaningful impact in their school community and beyond.

It should be noted that the award description was approved by Trustee Brown’s family in mid-June.

Current Status
The inaugural Judith Brown Black Excellence Award was proudly presented to a graduating student at Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute during their June 2025 graduation ceremony. Moving forward, this award will be presented annually to one graduating Black student across the LDSB, continuing to honour Judith Brown’s legacy and celebrate excellence, leadership, and community impact.

Next Steps and Communication Plan
With the support of Trustee Brown’s family and Umoja, additional fundraising efforts may take place over the coming year to help establish a financial component to accompany the Judith Brown Black Excellence Award. These contributions will further honour Judith Brown’s legacy by providing meaningful support to future recipients as they continue their educational journeys and community leadership.

Director Burra provided a copy of a letter to Madison Stewart of Food for Good acknowledging her delegation at the June 2025 Board Meeting called "Feeding Minds: Food and Beverage Policy (PPM 150)." Director Burra thanked her for sharing the information with the Board.