Kyle and Cobb to lead school board

Lucille Kyle

Some continuity is in place around the governance table for Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board as a result of elections Monday night for the chair and vice-chair roles.

At its annual meeting Dec. 14, the board of trustees re-elected Lucille Kyle as chair of the board and elected Jennifer Cobb as vice-chair.

Kyle expressed appreciation and acknowledged the continuity she brings to the lead role at the board table. She was first elected in December 2010, was re-elected in the 2014 municipal election and was acclaimed in the 2018 municipal election. Kyle has served as vice-chair and chair at various times since 2014.

“2020 has been like no other school year that any of us has ever had to face. This is a time for continuity and stability at Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board,” said Kyle. “I am passionate about our children and everyone at HPEDSB. I am very concerned about staff right now and the well-being of our system.”

Kyle, trustee for North Hastings, has served on several committees, including the Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee, Food for Learning Partnership, Indigenous Education Advisory Committee, Leadership Development Steering Committee, Mental Health Leadership Team, Program and Human Resources Committee, Operations and Finance Committee and the Supervised Alternative Learning Committee.

Jennifer Cobb

Cobb acknowledged her history on the board provides her with the background to fulfill the vice-chair role. She was first elected in December 2010, and was acclaimed in the 2014 and 2018 municipal elections.

“I come to this role willing to serve and with experience chairing other committees. Drawing on my 10-year history with HPEDSB will help to shape our vibrant future,” she said. “I pledge to work with my board colleagues openly and transparently. I will listen to your opinions, as diverse as they are, to facilitate discussions so that we look at all points to come to good governance decisions. Thank you for your support and confidence in my leadership.”

Cobb, trustee for North Prince Edward County, has served on several committees, including the Audit Committee, Great Place Awards Committee, Mental Health Leadership Team, Program and Human Resources Committee, Safe Schools Advisory Committee, Specialist High Skills Major Advisory Committee and the Student Enrolment/School Capacity Committee.

The two are to serve through to the end of November 2021.

In addition, other board members are Shannon Binder, Southeast Hastings; Mike Brant, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte; Lisa Anne Chatten, Belleville/Thurlow; Bonnie Danes, Centre Hastings; Spencer Hutchison, Trenton and CFB Trenton; Alison Kelly, South Prince Edward County; Krista McConnell, Belleville/Thurlow; and Kristen Parks, Sidney and Frankford.

Kyle also expressed appreciation to staff, students and families.

“To all staff: Thank you for the incredible amount of work you have done, we know that it comes with a cost. You are pillars of support in our communities and we appreciate all you do to help our kids learn.

“To all families and students: Thank you for sending your children back to school in September, both virtually and in classrooms. You know more than anyone that your children need their peers, their classroom supports and to learn in ways that are comfortable and familiar. We were all anxious at the start of school, but you all jumped in and it was great to hear the laughter of children together again. I love to drive by schools seeing children playing outside, school buses lined up on the streets and people carrying on with the new norm.

“To my Board colleagues: Thank you for your flexibility, patience and understanding. I wish you all the best in 2021: good health, happiness and peace. I look forward to serving with all of you this year.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves approximately 14,700 students at 42 schools (33 elementary, one K-12; four 7-12, two secondary and two virtual). There are approximately 1,900 teaching and support staff in the district which covers 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south and Quinte West to the west.