Board Meeting Highlights - June 24, 2025
Land Acknowledgement
Communications Manager Chera Longston presented a written land acknowledgement from a Grade 4 student at South Perth Centennial PS.
Good News
Kudos to all Graduating/Transitioning Students
Trustees are busy attending celebrations and graduations at schools across the district. They wish to express their sincere congratulations to all students who are transitioning from school to school, from elementary to secondary, or graduating and moving on to their next phase of life. We wish you all the best!Retirement, Years of Service, and iAM Making an Impact Celebration
Chair Michael Bannerman proudly shared that on June 11, the trustees hosted an event to celebrate over 60 AMDSB retirees, a number of years of service recipients, and to acknowledge three initiatives with iAM Making an Impact recognition, including:
Maranda MacKean (Central Perth ES). Acknowledged for her visionary leadership in transforming Central Perth’s nature area into a vibrant outdoor learning space that integrates curriculum across subjects and inspires staff and students alike. Her collaborative approach, engaging students, staff, parents, and community partners, has sparked meaningful learning, strengthened connections, and expanded outdoor education opportunities grounded in Indigenous perspectives. 
Alicia McGregor and Deb Goggin (Listowel District SS). Acknowledged for their outstanding commitment to student well-being and equity through their leadership in managing nutrition programs, student support funds, and equity initiatives. Their collaborative efforts have reduced barriers, expanded opportunities, and strengthened the school community, ensuring more students have what they need to succeed and thrive.
Grade 3 teaching and support team - Emelie Taylor, Catharine Meadows, Jared Webb, Kerri Otten, Roz Gunn, and Sophie Holden (Avon PS). Acknowledged for their incredible work in bringing the school community together through the “Celebrating Who We Are” event. By creating a welcoming space where students could share their heritage, learn about others, and build valuable skills, they fostered meaningful connections among families, students, and staff, highlighting the power of identity, inclusion, and community.
Full details are showcased in an e-magazine posted on the Trustee Recognition of Staff page.
North Perth area Schools Host Cultural Unity Festival
Trustee Nancy Rothwell was pleased to share that the Cultural Unity Festival was co-hosted by North Perth Westfield ES, Listowel Eastdale PS, and Listowel District SS (LDSS) and had over 350 attendees. There were 20 cultures represented at the festival, and activities included: a passport to visit the cultures and submit to win prizes, henna applications by LDSS students, a world map activity, a piñata and cultural dances from Sri Lanka and India. She also shared a quote from a member of the original LDSS Cultural Club that had the initial idea for the festival. "When I first moved here, people made fun of me because of my brown skin, but tonight, they were lining up to see me because of my brown skin. It felt like the little girl in me was healing. It was a full circle moment." Maanya Dayal, grade 12 student at LDSS.
Centre for Education and Learning (CEL) Graduates
Trustee Bruce Whitaker highlighted the CEL graduation in Stratford on June 23. He indicated that 112 individuals were honoured with their grade 12 diplomas, 55 individuals completed the Personal Support Worker program, and 225 individuals received recognition from the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. A second celebration was hosted in Goderich on June 24 (photos below).
Pathways Highlights E-magazine (Spring Edition)
Superintendent Paul Langis was pleased to share the Spring 2025 edition of the Pathways Highlights. This e-magazine showcases a number of Pathways programs including the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Specialist High Skills Major, Dual Credit and cooperative education. Students from Grades 6 to 12 are featured in this photo-rich resource and it can be found on the board website: Pathways Highlights. Tractor Day - St. Marys DCVI
Director Graham Shantz highlighted that he and Trustee Sheila Armstrong-Marshall and Superintendent Riley Culhane attended an event at St. Marys DCVI, where students drove their tractors to school for the day. The event is a celebration of our local farms and agricultural industry. Note: A number of other schools across AMDSB host similar events.
Board Approves a Balanced 2025/2026 Budget
The Board of Trustees of AMDSB received and approved the 2025/2026 Budget. After an extensive internal fiscal review process, where the primary goal was to bring AMDSB's operating budget back into balance, Trustees were able to approve a balanced operating budget for the upcoming year. The operating budget presented includes operating revenues and transfers of reserves of $260,775,753 and operating expenses of the same. The capital budget approved includes capital spending of $16,337,270. The full budget package is posted on the Budget & Finances page.
Trustees Finalize Decision for North Perth Boundary Review
At the June 23 Special Board Meeting, trustees passed the following motion:
That the board of trustees approve the relocation of Grade 7 and 8 students from the Listowel Eastdale Public School and the North Perth Westfield Elementary School attendance areas to Listowel District Secondary School, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
Over the next year, a transition plan will be developed so that this change will be implemented in September 2026. Additional details are available on the Board website and can be viewed anytime at amdsb.ca/northperthboundaryreview2425.
Athletics Update
Superintendent Paul Langis shared that elementary athletics, of which there are 4 regions across AMDSB, successfully provided tournaments and events for Junior and Intermediate students in Cross-Country running, Soccer, Triple Ball/Volleyball, Basketball and Track & Field. District Track & Field was held on June 17 at Goderich District CI in Goderich, where over 500 students participated.
For secondary athletics, over 3300 athletes participated in 31 sports that were facilitated by over 170 coaches (these numbers include athletes and coaches who participated in more than 1 sport).
Superintendent Langis expressed acknowledgement and appreciation for the opportunities that are made entirely possible by the dedication of time, energy and spirit of our dedicated school staff and volunteers. He wished to thank them for their commitment to creating a positive school experience for the students of AMDSB.
Days of Significance Around the District (June Edition)
Communications Manager Chera Longston presented the wrap-up for the June edition of the Days of Significance. This month’s highlights included National Indigenous History Month, Pride Month, World Environment Day, as well as other important observances that reflect the diversity and values of our school communities.
Future Board Meetings (tentative at this time)
Regular Board Meetings are held in person unless otherwise noted. Links to join the meetings online will be posted on the Board Meeting page the day before the meeting.
- Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 4:45 p.m. (Regular Session, followed by Committee of the Whole, Closed Session)
- Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 4:45 p.m. (Regular Session, followed by Committee of the Whole, Closed Session)
Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation
- Various graduation and transition celebrations