At its regular monthly meeting held Tuesday, May 26, the Upper Grand District School Board was told that its Secondary Superintendent of Schools has announced his resignation, effective August 31.

Photo/WES KELLER RUNCIMAN HONOURED: Music teacher Mary Runciman is joined, left, by her aunt Anita Hurd, mother Jean Jenkins and husband, Steven, as she displays the award she received at Island Lake Public School Tuesday afternoon from the Dufferin Youth Festival of the Arts in honour of her contributions to what has become an outstanding annual event in the county. David Euale started his career in 1974 as a teacher, and has spent 21 of his 35 years in education as a vice principal, principal, and superintendent of schools. He was also responsible for Continuing Education and at one point in his career, for Information Technology for Dufferin's schools. During his teaching career he served as chief negotiator and then president of the local secondary school teachers' federation (now OSSTF District 18). Trustees thanked him for his years of dedicated service and wished him well in retirement.

Mr. Euale has been appointed Director of the Student Success and Learning to 18 Branch of the Ministry of Education. Trustees Jennifer Waterston, Susan Moziar, Linda Busuttil and Ralph Edwards were appointed to serve on the Superintendent of Education Selection Committee.

The board confirmed that, due to the decision to move the French Immersion students from Dufferin County who currently attend Brisbane Public School to Princess Elizabeth PS in Orangeville in September, overcrowding at Brisbane PS will be alleviated, and the proposed Erin Boundary Review recommended in the Long Term Accommodation Plan will no longer be required.

The board is currently in the process of renewing its Education Development Charges (EDC) bylaws for Wellington and Dufferin Counties, which are levied on new residential development to pay for school site acquisitions. As required in the EDC legislation, the board approved two policy statements. The first states that the board, after a review of its operating budget for the year ending August 31, 2009, has no surplus operating funds to apply to reduce growth-related net education land costs. The second confirms that the board will continue to consider any future proposed opportunities to implement alternative accommodation opportunities, such as lease buy-backs, site exchanges and joint venture partnerships. The new by-laws will be considered at public meetings on June 16 and August 17 at 7 p.m. in the Wellington County offices in Guelph.

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 23, beginning at 7 p.m., in the Board Office at 500 Victoria Road North, Guelph. Everyone is welcome to attend.