b'MESSAGES FROM OUR LEADERSHIPThe 2022-23 school year was one of immense change and transition at OPSBA and throughout Ontarios public education system. It was the first year since 2019-20 in which most students were not moving between in-person and remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This inspired commitment across the sector to ensure our students were properly supported coming out of that traumatic global event.Following OPSBAs months-long pre-election public service campaign to increase the diversity of trustee nominations and get out the vote, school boards experienced a nearly 50% turnover in trustees following the October 2022 elections. We said goodbye to Executive Director W.R. (Rusty) Hick in December after an excellent five-and-a-half years and welcomed Stephanie Donaldson to lead our organization into the future. Our Executive Council, for the first time, welcomed the Chair of the Indigenous Trustees Council to the table as a member, and the new Black Trustees Caucus was established after authorization by the full membership at the 2022 Annual General Meeting. The purpose of the BTC is to bring together publicly elected or appointed trustees who identify as Black, in a safe and supportive environment, so they can work together to influence change.It was an extremely busy year, as we faced renewed challenges to the autonomy of local school boards. I continued to bring the OPSBA perspective to meetings of the Canadian School Boards Association, which is working to increase its advocacy work at the federal level.This year, more than any other, OPSBA has been called upon by media to be an expert voice on all matters related to public education. I am always honoured to provide the important perspective of our Association and our member boards in the media and with stakeholders since we have the most direct governance role in supporting students. Now, more than ever, our children and youth need strong advocateslike trusteesand OPSBA is more committed than ever to our collective vision. We have no doubt that together, we will make a lasting impact on the lives of the students weserve. We thank CSBA for its advocacy work and are proud to be a part of this organization.Cathy Abraham PresidentOntario Public School Boards Association 2022-2023 Report to the CSBA - 2'