Board Meeting Highlights - October 27, 2026
Good News
Acknowledgement of Outgoing Trustees
Chair Michael Bannerman shared his sincere thanks and appreciation for the trustees who will not be returning to the board. He thanked them for their commitment and dedication to AMDSB students and families. Thank you:
- Joseph Cohen (Northwest Huron)
- Deb Logue (Centra/East Huron)
- Julie Moore (Perth East)
- Nancy Rothwell (North Perth)
Members of the new board will be announced once they are 'sworn in' at their November 17 meeting.
Central Huron SS Agriculture Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Students Represent AMDSB and Meet the Duke of Edinburgh
On October 2, CHSS Agriculture SHSM students Hannah, Isaac, and Carter participated in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award event showcasing experiential learning and student leadership. They were led by Pathways Coordinator Jess Chateauvert and CHSS teacher Ray Greidanus, and joined students from across the province highlighting hands-on learning across eight different sectors, from aviation and business to hospitality and tech. Representing AMDSB, our students proudly shared their work in Agriculture and had the unique honour of connecting with dignitaries, politicians, and His Royal Highness Prince Edward.
Pathways Team Hosts Trades & Tapas!
Superintendent Paul Langis shared that the AMDSB Pathways Team offered an exciting two-night workshop that combined both the culinary and carpentry trades! Twenty three students in grades 9 from six AMDSB secondary schools and a significant adult in their lives participated in a carpentry workshop where they made a live edge charcuterie board and a culinary session which taught them to make various food items (led by renowned Chef Nathan Brown). The event was sponsored by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) program and OYAP Recruiter, Jodi Froud also shared valuable insights into high school pathways programming and apprenticeship opportunities.
FE Madill SS Hosts Mental Wellness Market to Celebrate World Mental Health Day
Vice Chair Patricia Smith was pleased to share that the Mental Wellness Market hosted by FE Madill SS was a roaring success. Organized by students and staff, the event welcomed local organizations who support mental wellness, and allowed students to explore the booths, engage in meaningful conversations, and work towards reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.
New Outdoor Pavilion at the East Wowanosh Valley Conservation Area
Vice Chair Patricia Smith also shared that she attended the grand opening of the pavilion at the East Wowanosh Valley Conservation Area at the end of September. It was named to honour Phil Beard for his dedicated years of service to the area, supported by fundraising efforts through the Maitland Conservation Foundation. It will serve as a central gathering and picnic spot for visitors, trail walkers, and local events, as well as welcome AMDSB students and educators for outdoor educational opportunities.
Black Brilliance: Pathways to Post-Secondary Fair
On Thursday, October 22, African, Caribbean, and Black-identifying AMDSB students participated in the Black Brilliance: Pathways to Post-Secondary Fair in Waterloo, engaging and learning alongside students from the Waterloo Region DSB and Waterloo Catholic DSB to name a few. Students represented themselves and the AMDSB with confidence, respect, and authenticity while building meaningful connections throughout the day. The conversations, relationships, and shared learning extended beyond the formal sessions, highlighting the power of connection, community, and learning alongside others who come look like you.
October Days of Significance
Schools are celebrating important days throughout the month of October. The video below provides a sampling of these activities!
October DOS Wrap-Up Video - 2026 by AMDSB Communications
School Showcase
Communications Manager Chera Longston highlighted Central Huron Secondary School (CHSS), located in Clinton (Central Huron - Trustee Deb Logue), which serves approximately 480 students from Grades 9 to 12. Feeder schools include Seaforth PS, Clinton PS, Huron Centennial PS and Hullett Central PS. The current building opened in 1866 and is led by Principal Scott Richardson and Vice Principal Crystal Gascho, under the supervision of Superintendent Riley Culhane.
Highlights from CHSS include:
- Giving back to their community: CHSS students and staff are very involved in giving back to their local community. From their annual food drive where they collected over 2800 lbs of food to fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation (where they raised $3700). They recently helped a resident from the Huronview nursing home celebrate her 100th birthday! Their Construction class has been involved in a number of projects including a Remembrance sidewalk, chicken coops for the nursing home, street library boxes, and helped paint red chairs around Clinton.
Their “Honour Band”, culinary club and entire school community have participated in a number of fundraising initiatives to support other local organizations.
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School pride: A few examples of what CHSS is really proud of include Art student Danika who won for her work in colour AND black and white at the provincial level for the Remembrance Day competition hosted by the Legion. Robotic projects by comm-tech students (robotic dog and cookie delivery robots). Their enviro club won gold at the local Envirothon and Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving grant for’ Melt Cheese not minds’ grilled cheese event for anti-cannabis and driving.
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Connection to feeder schools: Because CHSS is still a 9-12 school they don’t have 7 and 8 students in the building to build relationships and ensure the progression from elementary to secondary, they need to make an effort to build those connections. They network with students from the feeder schools by hosting triple ball tournaments, and inviting them to basketball and hockey games, hosting tech days, band performances and organizing 678 dances.
Student Trustee Update
Student Trustee Mollie Hannam reported that the senate will meet later this evening and will begin discussing their plans for the upcoming school year. In addition, all senators recited their "Student Senate Declaration".
Future Board Meetings
Regular Board Meetings are held in person unless otherwise noted. Links to join the Regular Board meetings online will be posted on the Board Meeting page the day before the meeting.
- Tuesday, November 10, 2026 - Governance and Strategic Planning Committee
- Tuesday, November 17, 2026 - Inaugural Meeting (election of the Chair and Vice Chair)
- Tuesday, November 24, 2026 - Regular Board Meeting followed by Committee of the Whole, Closed Session
Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation
- AODA – Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. (Teams)
- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) – Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 4:00
p.m. (Teams) - Audit Committee – Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- Trustee Orientation – Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – 4:45 p.m.