Upper Grand District School Board’s director of education announces retirement

Sign for the Upper Grand District School Board. (Submitted)

The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) is getting a new director of education this fall.

On Monday, the school board announced Peter Sovran is retiring as director of education and CEO at the end of September. He has held those roles for the past five years as part of a three-decade career in public service and public education.

The school board also announced long-time employee Brent McDonald will be stepping into the vacant roles. He has been working as UGDSB’s associate director and COO. McDonald began his career in education as a teacher at Arthur Public School in 1995. He later became a vice-principal at the school board and, in 2003, was named the principal of Priory Park Public School.

“I look forward to strengthening relationships with all stakeholders across the system, supporting innovation including the responsible use of AI, and continuing to advance our student achievement progress in literacy and numeracy,” McDonald said in a media release. “Most importantly, I am excited to work alongside our students, staff, families, trustees and community partners as we continue to implement recommendations from the independent Human Rights review and harness the incredible talent and potential that exists throughout the Upper Grand DSB.”