UGDSB director/CEO Peter Sovran to retire in September

GUELPH – Upper Grand District School Board’s (UGDSB) education director and CEO Peter Sovran is  retiring in September.

Associate director and chief operating officer Brent McDonald will replace Sovran as CEO on Oct. 1. 

McDonald started his career in education in 1995 as a teacher at Arthur Public School.

By 2003, he was principal of Priory Park Public School. 

More recently, McDonald has overseen Families of Schools, Facility Services, Safe Schools and served as executive superintendent of school operations and student support services. 

He was also the president of Educational Computer Network of Ontario from 2016-2020. 

School board officials say “Throughout his career, McDonald has demonstrated a deep commitment to developing people, strengthening leadership and creating the conditions for students and staff to thrive. 

“He led the development of leadership and mentoring programs that support educators and administrators at every stage of their careers, while advancing recruitment and succession planning to ensure strong leadership across the system,” officials continue in a press release.  

McDonald said the promotion “is an incredible honour.

“Having spent over 30 years in a variety of roles across the organization, I am grateful for the opportunity to build on the outstanding achievements of our students, staff, and school communities,” he states in the release. 

“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. 

“Most importantly, I am excited to work alongside our students, staff, families, trustees and community partners.”

Peter Sovran

Sovran’s retirement follows more than three decades working in public education and public service.

According to UGDSB officials, “Peter has provided steady and future-focused leadership through a period of significant change for public education” over the last five years. 

During this time, they say there has been year-over-year improvement in student achievement and the establishment of the UGDSB Innovation Lab which “has   helped reimagine professional learning and create new ways for staff to collaborate, learn and respond to emerging system needs.

“Peter has also led the board through the disruption and opportunities created by artificial intelligence, emphasizing that new technologies must be approached through a strong foundation in literacy, mathematics, critical thinking, human rights, equity, sustainability and responsible citizenship,” the release continues. 

UGDSB chair Ralf Mesenbrink thanked Sovran, on behalf of the trustees,   “for his dedicated service, thoughtful leadership and unwavering commitment to students, staff, families and public education.”

Sovran expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, families, trustees and UGDSB communities. 

“It has been an honour to serve as director of education and CEO,” he states. 

“I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our staff, the leadership of our trustees, the partnership of families and communities, and the energy, creativity and promise of our students.”