‘Let us move forward as a team with determination. Let us embrace the Minister’s binding directions as our roadmap to renewal. Let us prove—to the public, to our families, and to ourselves—that we are worth of the trust placed in us,’ Aspin said
Jay Aspin is the new chair of the Near North District School Board, and Bill Steer will serve as vice chair.
“I stand before you humbled by the responsibility entrusted to me once again as chair of the Near North District School Board,” Aspin said.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by recent directives from Education Minister Paul Calandra. Aspin emphasized that over his years as a board member, “I have seen our board through challenges and triumphs. But tonight, I recognize that the challenge before us is unlike we have ever faced before.”
Aspin said the Minister’s directions will be met, and in doing so, the board will “regain public trust and confidence.”
He emphasized the board’s focus will remain on ensuring student success and well-being, to stabilize and restore confidence in its governance and leadership, and to strengthen accountability with the public.
See: Near North board ordered to rebuild public confidence and provide accountable, transparent and effective governance
Aspin mentioned the board will “embrace transparency, so that all of our communities see not only what we decide, but how we decide.”
Aspin and Steer took over from Ashley St. Pierre (former chair) and Howard Wesley (former vice-chair), following a trustee vote during this evening’s board meeting. Aspin is no stranger to the board, having served on the board on four different occasions, with 21 years as a school board trustee. He has held public office for 43 years, including six terms as a North Bay councillor and one term as an MP.
Bill Steer, a lifelong educator, is entering his second term as a school board trustee and currently serves as the Regional Chair for the Northern Region of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.
Each year, the school board holds an election for chair and vice chair. Nominations are accepted at the meeting, and a secret ballot is cast. Vote counts are not provided, as per the board’s policy. A winner is announced after two scrutineers count the votes. Tonight, Aspin was nominated by trustee John Arkwright and St. Pierre was nominated to continue as chair by trustee Louise Sargeant.
St. Pierre was also nominated to serve as vice-chair but came second to Steer.
Although she wasn’t elected for another term as chair, St. Pierre thanked the trustees for putting their faith in her during her first term. “It was an honour to serve as chair for the last year and a half.”
Aspin told his fellow trustees, “Let us move forward as a team with determination. Let us embrace the Minister’s binding directions as our roadmap to renewal. Let us prove—to the public, to our families, and to ourselves—that we are worth of the trust placed in us.”
The 2022-2026 Board of Trustees is composed of these trustees.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
