Mark Bailey, a trustee representing wards 1 and 5 in the City of Guelph, has been re-elected chairman of the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) at its annual organizational meeting on Dec. 3.
It is his second term as the board’s chairman.
Trustee Marty Fairbairn, who represents Guelph ward 6 and Puslinch Township, was acclaimed to serve as vice-chairman for a second year.
The positions are for one-year terms ending Nov. 30 next year.
Bailey was first elected to the board in 2006. He was vice-chairman in 2011, succeeding trustee Bob Borden as chairman in 2012.
Bailey has chaired the board’s program committee and has held several leadership positions in the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA).
He is currently the first vice-president of OPSBA.
Fairbairn was first elected to the school board in 2003. In addition to his duties as vice-chairman, for the past year Fairbairn has chaired the special education advisory committee as well as the board’s budget committee.
In his acceptance speech Bailey thanked his fellow trustees for placing their trust in him for a second term, pledging to “create consensus, run effective meetings, and foster a collaborative environment.”
Looking forward to the challenges in the coming year, Bailey said he was cautiously optimistic that upcoming labour negotiations will be “much more fruitful and respectful than the last round.”
Other priorities and issues for the board in 2014 include strategic planning, rapid capital development, the final year of full-day kindergarten implementation, and the increasing popularity of French immersion.
“We will continue to ask ourselves the hard questions, and honestly reflect on how we can support our students in challenging subject areas, particularly in math,” said Bailey.
“And we must continue to explore ways to deliver our programs and services equitably, across board geography and socio-economic divides.”
Bailey also noted, “We will continue our quest to develop services that support student wellbeing,” in partnership with other agencies, especially those related to children and youth health and social services.”
In other business at the meeting, the membership of board committees was confirmed or modified. Trustees acclaimed to serve as the chairs and vice-chairs of the board’s two standing committees are:
– Lynn Topping (Townships of Amaranth, East Luther/Grand Valley, Melancthon, Mulmur, and Towns of Mono and Shelburne) is chair of the program committee;
– Susan Moziar (Guelph Wards 2, 3 and 4) is vice-chair of the program committee;
– Kathryn Cooper (Township of Guelph-Eramosa, Township of East Garafraxa and Town of Erin) is chair of the business operations committee; and
– Bruce Schieck (Township of Wellington North, Town of Minto and Township of Mapleton) is vice-chair of the business operations committee.
The full text of the speech made by Mark Bailey is available on the board’s website.
