Cummings Returns as Chair, Torrie-Racine Chosen as Vice-Chair as CDSBEO Sets Direction for Year Ahead

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario has confirm

ed its leadership for the year ahead, with trustees selecting Chris Cummings to continue as Chair and electing Karen Torrie-Racine as Vice-Chair during their annual meeting held November 18 in Kemptville. Cummings, who represents Brockville, Smiths Falls, and Leeds County, will serve a second term in the role after being acclaimed by fellow trustees. Torrie-Racine, Trustee for Cornwall and Glengarry County since 2022, steps into the Vice-Chair position for the first time.

Both trustees reflected on the responsibilities ahead. “It is an honour to serve another term as Board Chair,” Cummings said following the vote. “I am continually inspired by this exceptional team, and I am grateful for your trust and unwavering dedication to our schools. I look forward to building on our progress in the year ahead and will continue to do my very best to represent this outstanding board.” Torrie-Racine, who has been involved with Catholic education in Cornwall for many years, noted, “I am honoured to be elected Vice Chair of CDSBEO. My involvement with the board began many years ago as an active parent in Cornwall, later serving on the Catholic Education Coalition and as the first Chair of the Parent Involvement Committee. Supporting Catholic education has always been close to my heart, and I am excited to take on this new leadership role alongside Chair Chris Cummings and my fellow trustees.”

While the leadership votes were a highlight of the night, trustees also reviewed the 2024-2025 Director’s Annual Report, which outlines the accomplishments of the board in student achievement, faith development, and program initiatives tied to CDSBEO’s strategic priorities. The report is now available to the public on the board’s website at cdsbeo.on.ca.

Financial matters also took centre stage as the Board presented its audited 2024-2025 statements, covering the period from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. Enrolment continues to trend upward in both elementary and secondary schools. Revenue for the year totalled $240.9 million, the majority coming from provincial grants and municipal taxes, while expenditures reached $241.2 million. Salaries and benefits account for 75 percent of all spending. Trustees noted ongoing pressures related to staff replacement costs, utilities, snow removal, software, and inflation. The Board reported a compliant in-year accumulated deficit and remains within compliance in both the School Board Administration and Facilities and Transportation envelopes.

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario oversees 39 elementary and 10 secondary schools across eight counties, serving approximately 14,000 students. The current Board of Trustees includes Jennifer Cooney (Lanark County), Christopher Cummings (City of Brockville, Town of Smiths Falls, Leeds County), Brent Laton (Grenville County and Elizabethtown-Kitley Township), Karen McAllister (Dundas and Stormont Counties), Donna Nielsen (City of Cornwall and Glengarry County), Karen Torrie-Racine (City of Cornwall and Glengarry County), Sue Wilson (Prescott and Russell Counties), and student representatives Junior Malunda and Heidi Baumann for the 2025-2026 school year.