Board of Trustees

Message from the Chair

I am honoured to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees for 2023. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I share pride in supporting student excellence this year across all DSB1 schools. The Board’s priority is to commit to supporting student achievement and well-being. Over the past year, we have supported several initiatives which led to continued success and improvements for staff, students and families.

This past school year welcomed increased staffing, including Educational Assistants, Mental Health Supports, and Indigenous Student Advisors. Additionally, DSB1 provided upgraded accessibility to the internet through the iPad initiative and significant improvements to facilities, including Track and Field Complex upgrades at Cochrane High School and Englehart High School.

We are proud of the accomplishments and success of our students. Graduation rates continue to increase across the Board. This year, 74 students graduated from the PACE program, an increase from 20 graduates five years ago. Student Voice brings an impactful contribution to the boardroom through our three appointed Student Trustees.

Thank you to our staff for their leadership, the Trustees for their commitment, and all our students for their passion for learning.

Together, we inspire innovation and a passion for learning.

	Zone D Bob Brush Chair
	[email protected] 705-288-4974 Timmins and Area	Committee Memberships · Audit Committee · Parent Involvement Committee · Supervised Alternative Learning Committee
Bob is serving his fourth term as Trustee. He brings experience as a Principal and Chair of the Board. During his term, he is excited about working with the newly elected Board. Bob’s commitment as a Trustee is to ensure the well-being and success of all learners.

	Dennis Draves Vice Chair	Zone F
	[email protected] 705-272-9457 Cochrane, Smooth Rock Falls	Committee Memberships · Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee · Special Education Advisory Committee · Parent Involvement Committee
Dennis is a longstanding Trustee with DSB1. He brings experience as an elementary teacher, Vice-Principal and Principal. During his term, he is excited about the four-year strategic plan, specifically the strategic priority of Culture. Dennis’ commitment as a Trustee is to build opportunities for students who face barriers graduating in the existing four-year plan.

Howard Archibald

Indigenous Trustee

[email protected]

705-272-8803

Indigenous Peoples' Trustee

Committee Memberships

· Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee

Howard is a longstanding Trustee, serving DSB1 since its amalgamation in 1998. Before amalgamation, he served as a Trustee from 1987 – 1997, a shared term with Wahgoshig First Nation every two years. Howard brings experience from Indigenous knowledge/awareness of cultural and traditional perspectives. He is passionate about Indigenous student success and growth. Howard’s commitment as a Trustee is to provide support, guidance, and wisdom for the success of all students.

Douglas Walsh

Trustee

Zone A

[email protected]

705-650-0609

Temiskaming Shores, Temagami, Elk Lake, and Area

Committee Memberships

· French as a Second Language (FSL) Committee

· Supervised Alternative Learning Committee

Doug is serving his first term as Trustee. He brings experience from managerial roles within the government. Doug served six years on the Board of Governors at Northern College, most recently as Board Chair. He is passionate about working to provide a positive and supportive environment to all students and staff. Doug’s commitment as a Trustee is to work collectively in making informed decisions, ensuring that the focus is on the well-being and achievements of students and staff.

	Larry Wiwchar Trustee	Zone A
	[email protected] 705-648-3364 Temiskaming Shores, Temagami, Elk Lake, and Area	Committee Memberships · Special Education Advisory Committee · Indigenous Peoples’ Advisory Committee
Larry joined the Board in 2021 and is continuing to serve as Trustee. He brings experience as a secondary school teacher and extensive volunteer throughout the region. Larry is passionate about linking the resources of our communities to schools. Larry’s commitment as a Trustee is to reflect on community needs.

	Jonathan Byer Trustee	Zone B
	[email protected] 705-544-0476 Englehart	Committee Memberships · Audit Committee · Joint Transportation Governance Committee
Jonathan is serving his first term as Trustee. He holds a Ph.D. with extensive educational experiences spreading internationally. Jonathan is a published author and has recent experience teaching at Northern College. He is excited about the opportunity to positively affect our education system’s direction. His commitment is to promote education and training initiatives that support youth retention and further local job development.

	Rosemary Pochopsky Trustee	Zone C
	[email protected] 705-568-7321 Kirkland Lake	Committee Memberships · Joint Transportation Governance Committee · Student Senate · Human Resource Committee
Rosemary is a longstanding Trustee with DSB1. She brings experience in banking and bookkeeping. She is excited to be a part of a Board that provides all students with every opportunity to succeed. Rosemary’s commitment as Trustee is to ensure every student is exposed to the many options available to make an informed and satisfying career choice.

	Crystal Hewey Trustee	Zone D
	[email protected] 705-266-4596 Timmins and Area	Committee Memberships ^·Special Education Advisory Committee ^·Equity Committee
Crystal is serving her first term as Trustee. She brings volunteer experience co-ordinating the student nutrition program at a local elementary school for 8 years. Crystal is also a bookkeeper and previously was a supply secretary within DSB1. She is excited to have the opportunity to create a positive impact on the education of children in the community.

Steve Meunier

Trustee

Zone D

[email protected]

705-288-5363

Timmins and Area

Committee Memberships

· Equity Committee

· Student Senate

Steve is serving his second term as Trustee. He brings a significant amount of governance experience from serving on provincial and national Boards. He is excited about the efforts that have been made in our schools and classrooms to foster and support both student and staff well-being and mental health.

Steve’s commitment as Trustee is to continue to foster and support well-being and mental health, build collaborative relationships, champion equity and inclusivity and empower ethical leadership.

Brian Peever

Trustee

Zone E

[email protected]

705-232-0372

Iroquois Falls, Black River, and Matheson

Committee Memberships

^·Audit Committee

· Environmental Energy Committee

Brian is serving his second term as Trustee. He was born and raised in Iroquois Falls and for the past 35 years has resided in Matheson. He brings experience from 32 years in the municipal field and as a long-standing volunteer in the community. Brian’s commitment as Trustee is towards student voice and equity.

	Cindy Pye-Reasbeck Trustee		Zone G
	cindy. [email protected] 705-332-2844 Hearst, Kapuskasing	Committee Memberships · Supervised Alternative Learning Committee · French as a Second Language (FSL) Committee
Cindy is serving her second term as Trustee. She brings experience from an Economic Development background, specifying in Entrepreneurship Education and Development. She is also a member of the Board of Governors of Northern College, a community volunteer and a skating coach. She is passionate about the vast potential for innovations in education. Cindy’s commitment as Trustee is to listen; to be open and honest, and lead with integrity, always having students at the forefront of decisions.

	Josie Michaud Student Trustee
	[email protected] 705-232-0496 Iroquois Falls Secondary School	Committee Memberships · Equity Committee ·
Josie is in her second term as a Student Trustee. She is passionate about equity and inclusion and student voice in DSB1. As a Student Trustee, she is dedicated to receiving feedback from students about their experiences and challenges. She is committed to making impactful changes in the student senate during her final term.

	Hannah Carello Student Trustee
	[email protected] 705-406-7010 Timmins High and Vocational School
Hannah is serving a one-term as an Indigenous Student Trustee. She is passionate about learning and growing creativity. As a Student Trustee she is committed to helping students in any way that she can.

	Hayden Bedard Student Trustee
	[email protected] 705-406-7011 Timmins High and Vocational School
Hayden is serving a one-term as Student Trustee. He is passionate about public policy and education. As a Student Trustee, he is committed to advocating for student voice.