Office renamed for former Dufferin County Board of Education director
MEDIA RELEASE
September 9, 2015
GUELPH, Ontario – The UGDSB office at 40 Amelia Street in Orangeville, which houses the Student Support and Program Services Department and Continuing Education, has been renamed the Grant Evans Education Centre. A celebration took place there on September 8 during the Program Committee meeting of the Board. Trustees and senior staff were joined by Grant and several of his friends and former colleagues.
Speaking at the event Board Chair Mark Bailey outlined Grant’s educational career with the Dufferin County Board of Education. Having taught elementary and secondary students in Toronto, Grant came to Mono Amaranth PS as a teacher in 1972. He subsequently served as Assistant to the Superintendent, Vice Principal of Orangeville District SS and Principal of East Garafraxa Central PS. In 1984, Grant became Superintendent of Education and served as Director of Education from 1995–1998. At that time, the Dufferin and Wellington County Boards of Education amalgamated to become the Upper Grand District School Board.
Former UGDSB Trustee and Board Chair Bob Borden advocated for the renaming. Bob shared several examples of Grant’s passion for curriculum and compassion for staff, referring to him as a “wonderful educational leader.”
Director of Education Martha Rogers reminisced about working through the amalgamation of the two school boards with Grant. The Program hub of the new board remained in Orangeville, while Business and Operations were centered at the Wellington office in Guelph. Grant continued to impact instructional decision-making in the Upper Grand DSB for many years through committee work, professional development and special projects.
Grant spoke about the controversy which surrounded the building of the Education Centre when $320,000 seemed like a steep price to pay in the 1970’s. The Ministry did not contribute funds so it fell on local taxpayers to foot the bill. Grant accepted the honour on behalf of “all the wonderful people who worked here.” He also noted the efforts of students and teachers, as well as the support of parents and Trustees over the years.
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For more information:
Heather Boswell
519-822-4420 ext. 725
[email protected]
Categories: News