Renfrew County’s four school boards and four police detachments have finalized a document ensuring safe, inclusive, and equitable school environments.
The two sides have officially signed their renewed Local Police and School Board protocol, a ministry-mandated document that fosters and supports learning and the development of respect, responsibility, and civility. It also comes with a commitment to meet biannually to keep dialogue on safeguarding safe school communities in the Ottawa Valley.
The news comes after a year of cooperation and teamwork between the school boards and local police, who met frequently in order to lay out an “evergreen process that facilitates ongoing dialogue that proactively addresses shared responsibilities.”
The four police detachments include Killaloe OPP, represented by Interim Detachment Commander, Staff Sergeant MaryAnn MacNeil; Renfrew OPP, represented by Detachment Commander, Inspector Dawn Ferguson; Upper Ottawa Valley OPP, represented by Detachment Commander, Inspector Steph Neufeld; and Deep River Police Service, represented by Chief Dean Duchrow.
The protocol was signed by the Directors of Education for the four school boards in Renfrew County: Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB), Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB), Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE), and Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO).
The announcement is being heralded by everyone involved, with the RCDSB’s Director of Education, Kristen Niemi, noting the agreement “demonstrates the commitment to building on the positive relationships” between them.
Meanwhile, Christian-Charle Bouchard, Director of Education for our French public board, says the deal maintains a learning environment in which they can develop to their full potential.
Inspector Steph Neufeld with the Upper Ottawa Valley OPP says that the updated agreement continues to prioritize working together to support students and staff by ensuring a safe learning environment for all.
Director of Education for the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board, Mark Searson, calls it a “significant step forward” in maintaining open lines of communication through their community partners.
(written by Kasey Egan)