Trustees with the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) met virtually on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 for a regularly scheduled board meeting.
Trustees send best wishes to retiring Director
Trustees gave their best wishes to retiring UCDSB Director of Education and Secretary to the Board Stephen Sliwa. Sliwa, who served in education for more than three decades, was present for his last trustees meeting. Chair John McAllister spoke on behalf of the trustees and turned the attention toward the recent announced that Sliwa was named the recipient of the 2021 Eastern Ontario Staff Development Network’s (EOSDN) Eleanor Newman Outstanding Service Award. Roger Richard was appointed by Trustees as the Acting Secretary of the Board until the new Director of Education and Secretary to the Board is in place. Richard filled the role of a Senior Business Advisor from 2018-2019 for the UCDSB.
UCDSB reports on Environmental-Focused Education Plan
Staff outlined how the school board is currently implementing environmentally focused educational opportunities for its students. Currently, staff are implementing environmental lesson plans through curriculum expectations outlined across all subject areas.
As well, schools across the district have implemented school-based environmental initiatives such as outdoor learning spaces, community gardens, community partnerships, and environmental clubs. Environmental education is also being addressed through experiential learning, Indigenous education, literacy, and outdoor education programming.
Finally, environmental education is being delivered through Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs in our secondary schools, that focus on the environmental sector and agricultural sector.
Budget Outlook 2021-2022 presented
Staff provided trustees with a high-level budget outlook for the 2021-22 school year. With expected sustained lower enrolment projections as a result of the pandemic, the school board has implemented early planning using these projected numbers for the budget.
When it comes to funding, staff predict stable funding for the Grants for Student Needs and don’t anticipate any further funding for COVID-related budget line items. However, staff anticipate a stabilization for these pandemic-related expenses in 2021-2022.
Based on this information, the finance team outlined a projected 2021-22 revenue of $371.8 million while expenses are estimated at $371.2 million. These budget projections result in a compliant budget with a preliminary projected surplus of $0.6M. Budget deliberations for trustees is expected to begin in May.
Full details on presentations, reports and discussions can be found in the agenda or reviewed in the recorded broadcast.
