VIDEO: Highlights from the June 10 UCDSB Board of Trustees Meeting

Brockville – Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Key items discussed in the public session are as follows.

UCDSB Delivers Balanced Budget with Focus on Students and Responsible Spending:

Chief Business Officer Jeremy Hobbs outlined the proposed budget for compliance purposes, which includes projected revenues of $473.1 million (representing a $2.7 million or 0.6 per cent increase over the 2025-2026 budget) and expenses of $472.7 million, allowing for a modest $0.4 million surplus.

The proposed 2026-27 UCDSB budget maintains instructional services provided in 2025-26, and includes:

• $67.6M in Special Education funding,
• $3.4M in Indigenous Education funding,
• $3.1M dedicated to literacy and numeracy supports, and
• $2.4M in student safety and well-being supports.

The UCDSB is monitoring and strengthening risk management strategies in 2026-27 including, managing a contingency financial reserve as per Ministry of Education planning guidance. Overall, the Board remains in a strong financial position to manage risks while continuing to invest in student achievement and well-being. The draft budget will now go to the Ministry of Education for final approval.

Additionally, Hobbs highlighted that the capital budget includes $92.9 million in planned investments, including $31.7 million for major projects such as the new Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School and the Cambridge Public School addition, along with $61.2 million for upgrades across other UCDSB schools.

Action Plan Update and Future Priority Planning:

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ron Ferguson provided Trustees with an update on initiatives and actions undertaken during the 2025-2026 school year in support of the Board’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP).

As part of the 2025-2026 update, Trustees heard about progress in four key priority areas.

Reading, Writing, Math and Student Success:

• All schools reported increased student confidence in math between reporting periods.
• Indigenous Student Voice Survey findings showed that 97 per cent of self-identified Indigenous students feel their identity is represented and 94 per cent feel Indigenous cultures are represented positively in schools.
• Strengthened student pathways through integrated programming with 588 students in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), 1,930 students participating in a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM), and 46 students completing Level 1 apprenticeship training in 2026-27.

Student and Family Supports:

• More than 375 staff completed Mental Health in Action training to strengthen support for student well-being.
• 174 classes participated in District-Wide Learning Series focused on mental health, resilience, and well-being
• $500,000 (year 2 of 3 funding) to expand access to inclusive extracurricular and physical activity opportunities through the All-In Sports initiative.

Staff Supports:

• Launched the Attendance Support Program to provide a proactive and supportive approach to improving staff attendance, and reduced staff absences, contributing to more stable classroom environments.
• Improved recruitment and retention practices, leading to greater staffing stability.
• Used data from the 2024 and 2026 Staff Climate Surveys to guide ongoing efforts to improve workplace culture and staff well-being.

Responsible Spending:

• Maintained compliance with Ministry requirements and alignment with policy direction.
• Forecasting a modest surplus for the current fiscal year.
• Increased staff awareness and understanding of financial policies and practices

CEO Ferguson also presented the 2026-27 Action Plan, which outlines the actions staff will take to continue to advance the work in the four priority areas.

Key initiatives include the following:

• Support Principals and Vice-Principals in improving reading, writing, and math achievement across schools;
• Ensure secondary assessment, evaluation, and attendance practices align with Ministry policy and support clear, consistent expectations for student learning and success;
• Expand Indigenous education opportunities for all students;
• Launch a Student and Family Support Office;
• Implement a staff attendance strategy that enhances well-being, strengthens staffing stability, and supports student learning;
• Increase visibility and access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program and other wellness resources to support employee well-being;
• Develop and implement an enterprise risk management framework; and
• Develop a structured approach to securing and managing a contingency financial reserve that is consistent with Ministry of Education planning guidance.

Read the full Action Plan here.

Appointment to Fill Trustee Vacancy:

Trustees considered the appointment of a new Trustee to fill a vacancy following the resignation of Trustee Todd Robertson last month. The vacancy represents the municipalities of Drummond/North Elmsley, Lanark Highlands, Montague, Perth, and Tay Valley.

In accordance with the Municipal Elections Act and the Education Act, applications were received from eligible candidates.

The Board appointed Tara Barton-Maclaren to serve as Trustee for the remainder of the term, until November 14, 2026, when the next Board of Trustees is elected.

Trustees Amend Board Meeting By-Laws:

Trustees voted in favour to adjust the frequency of Regular Board Meetings. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, the UCDSB Board of Trustees will meet quarterly rather than monthly.

Full details on presentations, reports, and discussions can be found in the agenda or reviewed in the recorded broadcast.