Teachers union urges collaborative agenda access, praises calm start to year and plans May 7 recognition event

Kirsten Wheeler, president of the Ontario Education Association (OEA), told the board the union would like regular agenda time so it can bring constructive, proactive items directly to the board rather than relying on public comment. "The OEA is looking to have honest, open, collaborative discussions with not just the district, but with the school board as well," Wheeler said.

Wheeler described building-level labor-management meetings in which teachers meet monthly with building administrators to raise concerns and solve problems early. She said those meetings have helped prevent grievances and that teachers reported a calm start to the school year with limited staff turnover. Wheeler credited last year’s contract gains for some of that stability.

Wheeler also announced a May 7 staff recognition event that will honor retirees and include awards named after local educators; she said the board will receive formal invitations and further details later. She urged board members to visit classrooms and observe instruction so they can "make decisions based on evidence, not just stories."

Board members responded positively to Wheeler’s request for agenda time and to the plans for a teacher appreciation event; no formal action was taken at the meeting on labor issues.