News & Announcements » Chris Cummings Acclaimed Board Chair, Karen Torrie-Racine Elected Vice-Chair at CDSBEO Annual Board Meeting

Chris Cummings Acclaimed Board Chair, Karen Torrie-Racine Elected Vice-Chair at CDSBEO Annual Board Meeting

Kemptville, ON (Wednesday, November 19, 2025) – Chris Cummings, Trustee for City of 
Brockville, Town of Smiths Falls, and Leeds County, has been acclaimed to his second term as
Chair for the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.

Chair Cummings addressed trustees and senior administration at the November 18
the Board Meeting.

“It is an honour to serve another term as Board Chair. 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.”

Karen Torrie-Racine, Trustee for City of Cornwall and Glengarry County, was elected to her first 
term as Vice-Chair of the Board. She has served as Trustee since 2022. 

“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.”

The 2022-2026 CDSBEO Board of Trustees are:

Jennifer Cooney - Trustee, Lanark County 
Christopher Cummings - Trustee, City of Brockville, Town of Smiths Falls, and Leeds County
Brent Laton - Trustee, Grenville County and Elizabethtown-Kitley Township
Karen McAllister - Trustee, Dundas and Stormont Counties 
Donna Nielsen - Trustee, City of Cornwall and Glengarry County
Karen Torrie-Racine - Trustee, City of Cornwall and Glengarry County 
Sue Wilson - Trustee, Prescott and Russell Counties 
Junior Malunda - Student Trustee, 2025-2026
Heidi Baumann - Associate Student Trustee, 2025-2026

 

Director’s Annual Report Presentation

The 2024-2025 Director’s Annual Report was presented to the Board of Trustees during the
November 18th board meeting. This report underscores the numerous accomplishments of the 
Board and examines successes in areas such as student achievement, faith development, and 
program initiatives aligned with the Board’s strategic priorities.

The 2025-2025 Director’s Annual Report is now available for viewing on the CDSBEO website
at cdsbeo.on.ca.

 

2024-2025 Financial Statements Presentation

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario’s 2024-2025 financial statements cover 
the fiscal period from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025. The board’s goal is to nurture 
safe, supportive, and healthy learning environments, emphasizing transparency and 
accountability in financial resources.

Enrolment figures show steady growth in both elementary and secondary students over the 
past four years. Total revenue for 2024-2025 is $240.9 million, primarily from provincial grants, 
municipal taxes, and other sources. Expenditures total $241.2 million, with salaries and benefits
accounting for 75%, followed by contractual services, and supplies. 

Key financial pressures include staff replacement costs, utilities, snow removal, software, and 
overall inflation. The board presented a compliant in-year accumulated deficit and maintains 
compliance in the School Board Administration and Facilities and Transportation envelopes. 

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario operates 39 elementary and 10 
secondary schools across eight counties. The CDSBEO offers excellence in Catholic education 
through provincial-leading programs to approximately 14,000 students.

For more information contact:
Amber LaBerge, Communications Lead
613-714-6368
[email protected]