2014 Election Archive

Michelina Beam has been a trustee with the Near North District School Board since May 2011. She serves on the Finance, Audit, Accommodation, Governance, and various Building Committees and sits as the …trustee representative on the Regional Parent Involvement Committee. ichelina is also the Near North DSB representative on the province-wide Board of Directors for the Ontario Public School Board Association and was recently appointed to the OPSBA Ad Hoc Membership Model Committee. She joined OPSBA’s Policy Development Work Group as an alternate this fall. Born in North Bay, she is a graduate of West Ferris Secondary School. Her post-secondary studies at both Fanshawe College in London and York University in Toronto included Real Estate Appraisal, Business Administration, Economics, and Accounting. She has been the full-time Administrator and Financial Officer for Martyn Funeral Home for 17 years. Michelina and her husband Blake have three children; two are recent graduates of the NNDSB system pursuing post-secondary studies and the youngest attends Chippewa Secondary School. She spends much of her free time volunteering with Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre, a local charity that provides musical theatre experience for children and families. She has served on the Dreamcoat Board of Directors for over 12 years, 10 as Executive Director, and presently holds the position of treasurer with the organization. She believes strongly that arts education is an important contribution to student well-being and advocates for improving arts programming within the NNDSB and for the community at large. Michelina remains committed to the focus of students in her decision making. She understands the need for forward thinking solutions that will support the ever-changing ways children are learning, and her goal for the Board’s long-term strategic plan is to ensure that the NNDSB will be a relevant partner in the education of our future generation. More

Jane Jackson has: been involved with adult Literacy in North Bay for 26 years as a tutor, tutor trainer, board member, and staff perso, twenty four years’ experience as the Executive Director of the Literacy …Alliance of North Bay and Executive Director of the North Bay Literacy Counci, developed, implemented and managed a wide range of literacy programs based on community need and gaps in service, local, regional and provincial board experience at an executive and director leve, workshop leader, certified Supervising Tutor-Trainer and Board Trainer, two daughters and four grandchildren who have been through the Near North District School Board system More

While representing Zone 1, which includes the Municipality of West Nipissing and the City of North Bay, I am very honoured to represent all of the taxpayers, supporters, grandparents, parents and the students …of the Near North District School Board. Currently, I am the Chair of the Board, member of the Internal Audit, Finance and Environment Committees for the Board. Professionally, I am a par-time faculty member in the School of Business at Canadore College. After graduating from Chippewa Secondary, I have earned a Business Diploma from Algonquin College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Geography from Nipissing University. Most importantly, Iam the proud father of a NNDSB secondary student. More

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. More

Why did you decide to run for a position on the school board? The lack of communication flowing from the NNDSB to the parents and school councils was non-existent over the last four years. The last trustee …was from East Ferris and was not concerned about what was happening around the board table with respect to the schools in Zone 3. Q: What would you like to see accomplished if you’re elected? I would like to see more social media being utilized. I would also like to see the Near North District School Board offer to stream live meetings to the rural townships to keep in touch with the parent councils and township councils. Q: Talk about your experience (what do you bring to the table?) I was a trustee with the NNDSB for 5 years. I was the vice-chair of the board, a director with the Ontario Public School Board Association, chair of the by-law committee and member of the special education committee, audit and finance committee. I reside in Laurier Township and am familiar with the problems facing the small town schools. The schools in the rural townships are the heart and soul of the township. We need to think outside the box in terms of utilizing the facilities to keep them viable. Q: Any changes you feel need to be made at the school board? The perceived North Bay strangle hold over the rural areas has to change. We need a strong voice at the board table. What's good for North Bay is not necessarily good for the rural school. Q: Why should people vote for you? I know the inner workings of the board as well as the Ministry of Education. I have the experience and drive to get the job done. More

Corine is a lifelong resident of the Parry Sound area. She is a certified teacher who currently co-owns and operates a busy automotive repair shop in Muskoka. She is a graduate from the University of Guelph …with an Honours degree in Psychology emphasizing learning and child development. She earned a Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University. She has two children attending school in the NNDSB. She has been chair of the Nobel School Advisory Council for 5 years and has sat for 5 years on the Near North District School Board Parent Involvement Committee. Two Accommodation Review processes affecting schools in her area have provoked her to pay more attention to business at the Board level. Zone 3 is a vast geographical area and Corine is making it her mandate to make regular contact with Schools, School Advisory Councils, and municipalities to hear concerns and to share board business in a timely manner. She strives to encourage meaningful parental involvement while keeping the Board informed on issues within her zone. More

Harold brings 30 years of corporate business acumen, including 10+ years of Senior Management experience as Director, Marketing Training & Development at Canadian Tire Corporation, Home Office. Harold …worked as a professional buyer / marketing manager, responsible for the Hardware & Home Improvements Products Division of CTC; accountable for over $ 250 million in revenue. Harold has directed and supported a team of 13 buyers and procurement analysts during his successful career at Canadian Tire Corp. Harry and his wife Tamela Price-Fry, have lived in Bonfield, on beautiful Lake Nosbonsing, for the past 8 years. Together, they have 4 daughters (... all with University “Bachelor” Degrees ... 2 also have “Masters” Degrees). Tami and Harry have 3 grandchildren. Harold’s skill sets include: Project Management; Strategic Planning; Logistics/Procurement Management; Financial Management; vision to see the ‘big Picture’ and ability to set tactical priorities. Harold is Chairman, Bonfield Rural Watch and Community Policing Committee; he has served for the past 5 years... and he has been a member of the Bonfield and District Lions Club since moving to the Near North. Harold also sits on the Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) for the Township of Bonfield. Harold is a committed Volunteer Fundraiser with The North Bay Regional Health Centre“ Foundation” (NBRHC) – seeking corporate sponsors for the annual Hospital Walk / Run Committee. While living & working in Toronto, Harold volunteered his service as a “Subject Matter Expert” (SME) business advisor, sitting on the Humber College Business Advisory Committee (BAC) for 4 years. Harold is the President, HMF Marketing, - a Sales & Marketing company, specializing in Industrial Cutting Tools & HVAC products; supplying industrial products to the mining, manufacturing and Industrial Supply sectors in the Near North of Ontario. Harold is a Graduate of Ryerson University in Toronto (Liberal Arts)... plus he holds a diploma from College Boreal in Sudbury, (Heavy Equipment Training). By serving on the” Near North District School Board” as a Trustee, Harold believes that his wide business acumen and professional experience can add real value to the citizens and students in our NNDSB communities. Harold seeks to ‘give back’ to his fellow citizens... to represent taxpayers and pursue full value for our tax dollars... to seek to understand the needs of our students and to pursue effective solutions, while being cognisant of the ability of the taxpayers to fund our education goals going forward. More

Randy is a retired store, restaurant and laundromat owner, who has had a wide variety of interesting work experience throughout his career. Randy served with the former Nipissing Board since 1988 and with …the Near North District School Board since its inception in 1998. More