VIDEO: Highlights from the May 13 UCDSB Board of Trustees Meeting

Brockville – Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Key items discussed in the public session are as follows.

Arklan PS and Char-Lan DHS Repeat as Top Fundraisers in Terry Fox Campaign

Executive Superintendent Chris Boulay announced to the Board that Arklan Community Public School and Char-Lan District High School are once again proud recipients of the UCDSB Ted Kennedy Legacy Award. This award is presented annually to the elementary and secondary schools that raise the most money, per capita, in support of the Terry Fox Foundation. This marks the second win for Arklan PS and the thirteenth for Char-Lan DHS since the award was introduced in 2011.

The 2025-26 school year saw significant funds raised across our district, with Arklan PS and Char-Lan DHS leading the way, raising $20,634 and $20,437 respectively. This marks the second win for Arklan PS and the thirteenth for Char-Lan DHS since the award was introduced in 2011.

Read more about the remarkable campaigns at these UCDSB schools here.

2025-26 Red Apple Award Winners

UCDSB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ron Ferguson has unveiled the Red Apple Award winners for the 2025-26 school year.

The Red Apple Award is presented by the CEO to individuals that stand out for their deeply-rooted dedication to our school board’s top priority – our students. Their day-to-day impact on those around them branches far and wide, planting seeds of inspiration for us all.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Gary Kenney has been a cornerstone of Rideau District High School since starting as a custodian in December 1980 and serving as Head Custodian since September 2000. He is being recognized for demonstrating excellence and caring every day, ensuring a pristine, safe, and welcoming environment for all. Gary is incredibly kind to students and is deeply respected by them. His positive attitude and strong commitment to improving the school is evident in everything he does.

His dedication often goes above and beyond his role. He has been a valued mentor to co-op students, who appreciate his supportive and respectful approach. Humble, dependable, and always willing to help, he is the kind of person everyone wants to work with—and a truly deserving recipient of the CEO’s Red Apple Award.

Traci Cote exemplifies outstanding dedication, professionalism, and impact in her role as an Itinerant Student Support Worker with the UCDSB. She is deeply committed to student well-being, building trusting relationships and creating safe, inclusive environments where students—particularly those with complex needs—can thrive. Traci is a highly respected collaborator who works seamlessly with school teams, contributing valuable insights. Through her quiet leadership, adaptability, and unwavering integrity, she positively influences both students and school communities, making her a fitting recipient of the CEO’s Red Apple Award.

Sheila MacIntyre is an exceptional educator whose leadership, advocacy, and deep commitment to students have had a lasting impact on the Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School community, and the UCDSB. She fosters a culture of belonging where students feel seen, valued, and empowered, and is a passionate champion of student voice and leadership through a wide range of initiatives. Sheila has played a key role in advancing inclusive practices, including the development of the International Raiders Ambassador Program, and broader UCDSB efforts to support newcomers, multilingual learners, and international students. Through her work as an SST teacher, PAR leader, and literacy advocate, she supports student achievement while promoting equitable and culturally responsive teaching practices. Grounded in integrity, compassion, and courage, Sheila consistently advocates for what is best for students, making her an ideal recipient of the CEO’s Red Apple Award.

Tracy Moorhouse is a dedicated and highly effective Grade 3 educator at Iroquois Public School whose commitment to student success is evident in both her practice and results. She uses data-driven instruction, ongoing progress monitoring, and high-impact math strategies to ensure all students are supported and challenged. This diligence has led to significant growth in student achievement and contributed to a 24% increase in school-wide EQAO math scores. Through structured routines, small group instruction, and the strategic use of tools like Knowledgehook, Tracy creates a responsive learning environment where students build strong foundational skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for math. Her collaborative approach and commitment to continuous improvement demonstrates why she is a deserving recipient of the CEO’s Red Apple Award.

Rob Scott is like a master conductor of a district-wide math orchestra, bringing energy, precision, and creativity together to make mathematics come alive for students across the UCDSB. As Principal of EQAO and Student Success, he has transformed math learning into engaging, collaborative experiences—most notably through innovative initiatives like the travelling EQAO Math Gameshow. This gameshow has connected classrooms across the district in real-time, with math problem solving and fun.

Rob’s leadership also extends to broader math enrichment opportunities, including regional contests that celebrate teamwork, challenge, and achievement. With over a decade at EQAO leading the math writing team, he brings deep expertise and credibility to his role, ensuring that instructional practices are high-impact and aligned with provincial standards. Through his vision and dedication, Rob has helped build a culture where math is not only understood but enjoyed—making him a standout recipient of the CEO’s Red Apple Award.

With more than 25 years of dedicated service to the UCDSB, David McDonald as a Trustee, Vice-Chair, and Chair of the Board has been a steady and thoughtful leader, deeply committed to student success and strong governance. Throughout his tenure, he has played a key role on numerous committees, including many years as Chair of the Audit Committee, where his diligence and integrity helped ensure accountability and sound financial stewardship. He has been instrumental in overseeing the development of several strategic plans, helping to shape the Board’s direction and priorities.

David played a pivotal role in advocating for new schools and/or additions for schools in the City of Cornwall, helping to support the growth and modernization of educational facilities in that community. Respected for his experience, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public education, David has made a lasting impact on the UCDSB and the communities it serves. He is truly deserving of a CEO’s Red Apple Award for his outstanding service.

These winners will be celebrated at the board-wide recognition night in early June.

Board on Track for Budget Surplus at Year End

The third Financial Forecast of the school year was presented to Trustees by Chief Business Officer Jeremy Hobbs. The report projects revenues of $468.0 million and expenses of $467.8 million for compliance purposes, resulting in a forecasted in-year surplus of $0.2 million.

Hobbs explained that the reduced surplus was driven primarily by the challenging winter and subsequent increases in snow removal and utility costs.

As the end of the fiscal year approaches, Hobbs noted that staff will continue to monitor and adjust spending activity in light of current and emerging uncertainties. Definitive financial results for 2025-26 will be presented in November 2026.

Looking ahead to the 2026-27 Preliminary Budget Outlook, Hobbs touched on factors that may influence the fiscal environment going forward, as well as various potential and anticipated changes in revenue and expenses. These include a projected transportation deficit caused by funding changes, and potential changes to the Special Incidence Portion funding model for special education. He advised the Board that staff are expecting Core Education Funding and overall expenses to be largely stable through the next school year, and that staff will continue to update the Board as funding information becomes available.

A proposed 2026-27 budget is expected in June 2026.