I was a teacher for 31 years at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School under the former East Parry Sound Board of Education. I taught a wide range of subjects including history, mathematics, economics, geography, law, computers, and data processing. I was active in extra-curricular activities and the organization of OSSTF. I served four years on the provincial council of that body. I was active in the affairs of the local teachers' group serving in negotiations, grievance process, and as the local president.

Over the years I was a participant in the many attempts to improve curriculum, teaching methods, and classroom effectiveness. I was involved in the community where I ran a soccer league, the gentlemen's hockey league, old-timer's hockey tournaments, and helped with various children's activities like baseball, hockey, etc. I also served on community committees trying to enrich our opportunities in the small villages.

In the year 2000 I successfully ran for trustee. I campaigned on the promises of protecting the rural schools and improving the quality of their educational experience.

Eunice Saari, a retired teacher, is in her 16th year as a trustee with the Near North and the former Nipissing Boards. For most of these years she has served as chairperson or vice-chairperson. Prior to retirement, Eunice was an elementary teacher and involved in all Federation activities both at the local and provincial levels. Since retirement she has been recognized by the Federation by being awarded an Honorary Membership and an Award for Excellence in Teaching.

While raising three daughters and teaching Eunice achieved a Master of Education in Curriculum and Educational Administration as well as Principal's and Special Education qualifications. She also initiated and implemented the first Leadership Course for women teachers. Eunice believes her educational background assists her in asking provocative questions at the Board table and makes her ideally suited for setting directions and contributing to important policy decisions. She also believes that attendance at meetings, participation in all Board activities and being prepared for meetings are important criteria when choosing trustees. Eunice has missed only one meeting in 15 years and her voting record has always been based on research, placing students first and value for money spent. She provides a strong voice for PUBLIC EDUCATION and her constituents.

Jay is an International Trade Advisor who has returned to school trusteeship after serving eighteen years on the North Bay City Council. Formerly, he had served nine years as a trustee with the Nipissing Board of Education. During his former years as trustee, he chaired various committees and served regionally as a board member of the Northern Ontario School Trustees, including a term as its president, and provincially with the Ontario School Trustees Council the forerunner of today’s Ontario Public School Boards Association.

Jay is interested in an education system that prepares students for the global challenges of the future. He believes there can be no greater priority that excellence of education for our children and respect for the employees and teachers of our system. He pledges to work cooperatively and collaboratively to promote those values in our education system.

I am a retired banker who worked for 20 years for HSBC Bank in Hamilton. My husband and I retired and moved to Laurier Township in 2002. I had always been involved in my children's education and was active in various school committees, including Chair of the PTA. I am serving my third term as Chair of the Laurier Local Services Board. I also work in the Superior Courts in North Bay as a Court Reporter. As well, I have a home business transcribing legal transcripts.

I believe all children have the right to the best education our society can provide. We have an obligation to inform and educate inquisitive minds. That is why I accepted the position of Trustee. Being able to assist in any way to achieve this goal is my highest priority. I hope to be visible, as well as accessible, to accomplish this. I am new to the School Board and all its processes, but like a child, I am thirsty for knowledge and guidance.

I look forward to assisting in the education of our children, our future.

Biographical information.

Randy is a retired store, restaurant and laundromat owner, who has had a wide variety of interesting work experience throughout his career. He is now in his tenth year as a trustee, having served on the former Nipissing Board since 1988.

I was born in Parry Sound but lived in Toronto until 1970, when I married a Parry Sounder. Before my children where born, I became aware of issues and concerns of parents in the West Parry Sound Board of Education. In 1975 I started to actively participate at meetings of the school and Board and was asked to sit on different committees. I was the Regional Representative of the Ontario Federation of Home & School for approximately 4 years, a member of the Parry Sound Child & Family Centre for six years. My children and step children attended Foley, Victory, Humphrey and William Beatty Schools and all attended Parry Sound High School. After a car accident in 1988, I went back to College in 1990 and in 1993 was elected to sit on the Board of Governors at Cambrian College as the Adult Student Representative. I graduated in 1994. I worked as a Court Officer until last May when I retired from that position and I now work as a Family Home Visitor for the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit. I sit on the Board of RISE, a Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities in Parry Sound, as the Chair, and serve as a Court Support worker for persons of all ages who attend court. I also represent the people of Northern Ontario as the Member at Large with the Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres in Ottawa (CAILC). Although classifed as disabled, I have always been approachable and able to assist persons of all ages on their path to empowerment and education.

I am very proud to be your Ward 4 representative!! I became your Trustee as I heard your concerns and I want to support you. I promise to keep you informed, addressing your issues to the other Board Members and at all times be accessable to you all. Please feel free to e-mail or call me at any time, as I am YOUR PARRY SOUND REPRESENTATIVE on this Board. But please remember at all times that EVERY ONE of the Board Trustees are approachable at any time.

David is the father of a Near North elementary school age child and is a long time resident of North Bay. This is David's first term as a trustee as he follows his late grandfather George Emery Thompson, who was a Board Trustee in the 1930's. David has been proudly involved in a number of volunteer organizations including the King George Parent School Council, the Near North Community Care Access Board, the Nipissing Housing Corporation, Rebuilt Resources, and the North Bay and Area Museum. As well, David is proud to have been a co- founder of the popular and successful Families First New Years Eve Celebrations.
Currently, he is the Co-operative Education (Coop) Advisor/Faculty in the School Of Business at Canadore College and is an Economic Development Consultant specializing in Sustainable Development for rural northern communities. Also, he brings to the Board over 20 years in the real estate industry, both in the public and private sectors. David has a Bachelor Arts Degree in Political Science and Geography from Nipissing University. David's three main philosophies are that schools are the nucleus of neighbourhoods and communities. Secondly, education is about combining Academics, Arts and Athletics to foster the best opportunities for our students. Finally and most significantly, education is the most important economic tool for our children's future and ours.

Linda works as an education counselor at the Moose Deer Point first Nation, where she is responsible for the full education program from pre-school to post-secondary levels. She is also responsible for the budget administration and operation for the adult training. Linda is a first-time trustee, appointed by the Near North Board as the First Nations representative. Linda emphasizes that she is the representative of all First Nations students across the board, and not just those students from the Parry Sound region. While she must obviously strive to protect and preserve the programs previously established for First Nations students, Linda also wants to see all students in the board have full access to the highest quality education system possible.