UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

Full details on presentations, reports, and discussions can be found in the agenda or reviewed in the recorded broadcast. Video segments are linked in the subhead for each item below.

Sept. 19, 2022 – Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, for their first scheduled meeting of the 2022-2023 school year. Some of the items discussed in the public session are as follows. 

Director’s Work Plan  Director of Education Ron Ferguson presented to the Board a status update on the Director’s Work Plan for the 2022-23 school year. In his report, Ferguson outlined the key areas that will be of focus this year and the progress of the defined goals. One goal is to engage students, staff and community partners in real-world learning. This has started to progress by way of investing over $5M in upgrading classrooms, enhancing technology shops and purchasing and deploying updated technology and computers for students and schools this fall.

This update is part of the district’s multi-year strategic plan. More details and information can be found in this media release. 

Student Trustees Sworn In  Olivia Pereira and Janevra Pier attended their first Board of Trustees meeting in the capacity of Student Trustees. For their inaugural meeting, the duo publicly signed and verbally stated their declaration and oath of allegiance. Student Trustee Pier, from Gananoque Secondary School, will serve as the Chair of Student Senate Meetings. Student Trustee Pereira, from North Dundas District High School, will serve as Vice-Chair.

Both Student Trustees will report to the Board during the twice-monthly meetings. 

Operational Update  Superintendents Bill Loshaw, Chad Brownlee and Deanna Perry reported to the Board an operational update regarding enrolment, transportation and union negotiations and staffing.

Enrollment Update    Superintendent Bill Loshaw reported that there is an increase of 584 students across UCDSB elementary and secondary schools compared to the original spring projected enrolment numbers. The elementary section saw the largest increase with 468 students. Secondary section has an additional 116 students, of which 50 can be attributed to international students.

Negotiations and Staffing   Superintendent of Human Resources Chad Brownlee reported that the UCDSB, like other sectors and school boards, is not immune from workforce shortages. The HR team and school administrators spent the summer posting and filling teacher and support staff positions to ensure staffing levels would be appropriate for the new school year. As such, 28 permanent elementary teachers, 12 permanent secondary teachers, 33 support staff, and 71 occasional teachers have since been hired.  

Transportation    Superintendent Deanna Perry presented to the Board that Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario (STEO) has advised that bus staffing continues to be a hurdle with a driver shortage and has communicated that routes could be cancelled on short notice. 

STEO has advised that bus operators, except for one, anticipate being able to cover remaining runs with spare drivers, licensed office staff or mechanical/maintenance staff. Currently, there are 30 new drivers in various stages of training. 

For media inquiries, please contact:   

April Scott-Clarke   Manager of Communications   Upper Canada District School Board   [email protected]