Full details on presentations, reports, and discussions can be found in the agenda or reviewed in the recorded broadcast.
November 13, 2025 (Brockville, ON) - Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. Key items discussed in the regular public session are as follows.
UCDSB Chair and Vice-Chair Acclaimed, Committed to Continue to Lead with Focus on Students and Fiscal Responsibility
Trustees Jamie Schoular and Lynda Johnston will continue as Chair and Vice-Chair for the Upper Canada District School Board’s (UCDSB) Board of Trustees for the 2025-2026 school year. This is the third consecutive year that the duo has led the Board of Trustees.
The Chair and Vice-Chair are voted in each year at the organizational meeting by their trustee peers. See full details and quotes here.
Board Approves Appointment of First Nations Trustee
Trustees approved the appointment of Rose-Alma J. McDonald as the First Nations Representative of the Akwesasne Mohawk Board of Education (AMBE) to sit as a full UCDSB Board member from Nov. 12, 2025, to Oct. 31, 2028. McDonald is taking over for Patty Francis who served as the UCDSB First Nations Trustee since October 2022.
UCDSB Enrolment Growth Marks a Positive Turn for the District
Chief Business Officer and Treasurer Jeremy Hobbs presented Trustees with encouraging news this week, highlighting steady and growing enrolment across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB).
After decades of demographic-related decline — from a peak of about 40,000 students in 1995 to just over 25,000 in 2020 — the UCDSB is now entering a period of stability and renewed growth. Enrolment across the district is projected to remain strong, with several communities seeing notable increases in student numbers for the 2025-26 school year.
This positive shift reflects both the strength of local communities and the confidence families have in UCDSB schools. While some areas continue to experience modest declines, many others are growing rapidly, contributing to a stable and optimistic overall outlook for the district.
Looking ahead, factors such as population growth, new housing developments, and immigration trends are expected to further support this positive enrolment trajectory in the years to come.
UCDSB Remains in Good Financial Position
Trustees approved the 2024-25 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements. For the 2024-25 fiscal year, the UCDSB reported a $1.7 million in-year surplus available for compliance. Hobbs explained to trustees that the in-year surplus for compliance is largely attributable to additional top-up funding received for South Grenville District High School with the closure of TR Leger Prescott campus as well additional insurance coverage for the cyber incident. This results in an accumulated surplus of $33.1 million or 8.0% of the Core Ed operating revenue for 2024-25.
Continued budget and forecasting conservatism is required to be able to respond to upcoming funding model changes in student transportation and potentially SIP funding, as well as other future changes as they arise.
The UCDSB remains well positioned to continue its program of improvements in instruction and supports for students while at the same time remaining well positioned to respond to foreseeable future risk.
UCDSB Schools Benefit from Continued Ministry of Education Investment in Infrastructure
Trustees received an update from Hobbs on the UCDSB’s capital priorities and facility investments.
The Ministry of Education continues to invest significantly in school infrastructure through programs such as Renewal and School Condition Improvement, as well as targeted funding for schools requiring Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC) repairs.
The UCDSB is forecasted to spend nearly $100 million over three fiscal years on capital renewal projects focused on ventilation, air conditioning, outdoor running track facilities, and washroom safety. Design work continues for the new Cornwall High School and the addition to Cambridge Public School, both expected to go to tender in 2026.
For more information or inquiries, please contact:
April Scott-Clarke
Manager of Communications
Upper Canada District School Board
[email protected]