On Tuesday November 15, 2022, the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board held its inaugural meeting for the 2022-2026 term.  The meeting began with an Inaugural Mass, celebrated with Father Francis Ezenezi, and included a beautiful Commissioning and Renewal of Commitment ceremony.  

The board elected Shawn Fitzsimmons and Barbara McCool as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively.  Shawn Fitzsimmons was first elected to the Board as a Trustee in 2006 and previously served as Vice-Chair for the 2011-2012 school year.  Fitzsimmons has been Chair of the Audit Committee since its establishment in 2011.  He also previously served on the Catholic School Advisory Committees of Mother St. Bride School and St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Secondary School. Barbara McCool has served as Trustee with the Board since 1977.  She was Chair of the Board from 1999-2000, from 2002-2004, and again between 2009 and November 2018, and Vice-Chair between 2018-2020. McCool also served as both Trustee member and Chair of the NPSC Special Education Advisory Committee for many years.  

“The Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board looks forward to continuing its rich history of good governance in a future-focused, purposeful, progressive and fiscally responsible manner.  Our priorities will continue to focus on the achievement of our strategic ENDS centered on Catholic Faith, student achievement, well-being, equity and innovation.”, says Fitzsimmons.  “I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees and the Senior Administration Team to promote and nurture Catholic Education and to ensure our students reach their full potential.” he adds.  

Returning to the Board for another term were incumbent Trustees Jacques Bégin (East and South of the City of North Bay), Shelly Warren (North Bay) and John Willemsen (West Nipissing). Elected Trustee Frank O’Hagan (North Bay) and appointed Trustee Mike Sawyer (Nipissing First Nation) were welcomed to the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board. The 2022-2023 Student Trustee, Allison Patenaude, also participated in the Inaugural Mass and meeting. 

The Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board serves approximately 3000 students in 11 elementary schools across North Bay, West Nipissing, Mattawa, Powassan and Callander, St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary School and St. Joseph Adult Education campus, in North Bay.