Provincial Council Meeting

Last week we held our last Provincial Council meeting of this school year. Thank you to all Councillors for your time, input and contributions to our membership. All Members will receive highlights from the meeting later in the week.

Board of Directors

As part of the meeting, Provincial Council elected our Board of Directors for the 2025-26 school year.

  • President – Jeff Maharaj, Durham DSB
  • President-Elect – Amy Johnson, Renfrew County DSB
  • Treasurer – Dave Boone, Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB
  • Northeast Regional Director – Stephen Winckel, Rainbow DSB
  • Northwest Regional Director – Hillary Howe, Lakehead DSB
  • Central East Regional Director – Harry Stegenga, Simcoe DSB
  • East Regional Director – Jen Lendrum, Limestone DSB
  • Central West Regional Director – Natalie Gonsalves, Peel DSB
  • West Regional Director – Kathy Archer, Bluewater DSB
  • Metro Regional Director – Alisa Cashore, Toronto DSB
  • Director-at-Large – John Goheen, Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB
  • Director-at-Large – Colleen Golightly, Halton DSB
  • Past President – Alison Osborne, Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB

Additional positions will be added to the Board of Directors through self-selection (EDI and Indigenous Directors) and appointments (2 Directors-at-Large).

I would like to thank our outgoing executive members who have served our Members on the executive this past year – Patsy Agard (Ottawa-Carleton), Greg Arkwright (Trillium Lakelands), Meshell Lynch-James (York), Emily Samuel (Near North) and Eryn Smit (Lambton Kent).

Annual Member Satisfaction Survey – Open until June 2

Our Annual Member Satisfaction Survey is now open and we encourage all OPC Members to take a few minutes to share your thoughts and experiences. Your input helps shape the direction of our services, programs and advocacy efforts to better support you. This year we are also seeking your feedback on our draft five-year Strategic Plan. Visit our website to complete the 10-minute survey and share your perspectives. It will be open until June 2. You can enter to win one of eight $50 gift cards. Thank you for helping us continue to serve you better!

Excellence in Leadership Learning 2025-26

The Professional Learning Team is excited to share the catalogue of professional learning to assist with transition supports and planning for next year. There are numerous free opportunities and resources for Members such as Book Clubs and the Leading Learning Toolkit. We hope this preview will be helpful in planning for mentorship and growth in the coming year. Full access to registration will be available by the end of June. Please email learning@principals.ca to have a conversation about any of our opportunities.

Quote to Ponder – In  Commemoration of Red Dress Day

"Every red dress hung in the window is a reminder of a missing and murdered sister. Let us not forget." – World-changing Kids

Media

Queen’s Park Update

There were questions in the House last week about resources for students with special needs, Trustees’ decision around flying the Pride flag at schools and funding deficits at the Toronto District School Board.