Ottawa’s largest school board under provincial supervision as new school year begins

Ottawa's english school boards head back to the classroom this morning.

Approximately 77,000 students and 12,000 teachers and staff head to school today for the first day of classes at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), as Ottawa’s largest school board remains under provincial supervision.

The Ontario government placed the OCDSB under supervision on June 27 after the board posted four straight deficit budgets, including a projected $9.2 million deficit for the 2024-25 school year.

Robert Plamondon has been appointed supervisor of the OCDSB, and he has full authority over the board’s governance, including budgets, policies and operations. OCDSB trustees have been locked out of their email accounts and devices, and decisions normally made by the elected officials are now made by the supervisor.

In a letter to OCDSB parents, teachers and staff last week, Education Minister Paul Calandra said Plamondon has been tasked with “overseeing the financial and operational management” of the board.

“He will take the time needed to not only bring the board’s budget into balance, but also ensure long-term stability for years to come, so that funding goes where it belongs: directly into classrooms to support students and teachers,” Calandra said.

“I want to assure you that placing OCDSB under supervision is not a decision that was made lightly. I have made it clear that if a school board veers from its mandate, I will act quickly to restore focus, rebuild trust and put students first. The actions we have taken will help the province restore sound financial and operational management at OCDSB and ensure that every dollar invested goes toward preparing students with practical skills for good-paying, stable careers.”

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board declined a request from CTV News Ottawa to speak with Plamondon or OCDSB Director of Education Pino Buffone ahead of the school year.

Changes for the school year

Grade 9 and 10 students at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board will be taking exams this fall.

Plamondon directed staff to re-introduce exams and summative assessments for Grades 9 and 10 students.

“This will help ensure students are prepared for evaluations in Grades 11 and 12 and achieve their postsecondary aspirations,” Calandra said.

The education minister says discussions are also continuing over the Elementary Program Review. In the spring, OCDSB trustees approved changes to curriculum and grade structures at schools, which will see elementary school programs consolidated into Enhanced English and French Immersion, the elimination of Middle French Immersion and the closure of Alternative Schools.

New school

It will be a special first day of classes in Riverside South, as the new Riverside South Secondary School opens.

The new Grade 7 to 12 school, offering both English and French Immersion, is located at Spratt Road and Earl Armstrong Road.

The OCDSB says the new school will open with approximately 699 students in Grades 7 to 10, then add a grade each year over the next two years until it becomes a Grade 7-12 school in September 2027.

No blue bins

Students, teachers and staff are being asked to pack a “boomerang lunch” this fall due to a lack of blue bins in schools.

The local company that manages recyclable materials for Ottawa’s four school boards has discontinued plastics recycling services this fall.

The OCDSB says it cannot accept blue bin materials such as plastic containers, bottles, and food packaging.

“The majority of plastic waste in OCDSB schools and buildings comes from lunches,” the board said.

“To help us manage these materials more effectively and support the OCDSB’s commitment to social responsibility, families, students and staff are requested to adopt a ‘boomerang lunch’ approach - where waste is brought back home.”

Ottawa Catholic School Board

Tuesday was also the first day of classes at the Ottawa Catholic School Board.

“Staff and kids are always excited to be back for the first day of school,” Mary Donaghy, Director of Education at the board, told CTV News Ottawa.

Donaghy is the new Director of Education for the Catholic school board.

She says while there is a provincial shortage of teachers heading into the new school year, the Catholic board is “doing really well.”

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Katelyn Wilson