Direct feedback from parents has prompted a significant shift in spending priorities for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's (OCDSB) multi-million dollar capital plan. Provincial supervisor Bob Plamondon revealed that town hall meetings with school council chairs led to three unexpected but urgent items rising to the top: installing air conditioning in classrooms, improving water quality, and ensuring public address systems function properly.
Parent Feedback Drives Budget Reallocation
Bob Plamondon, the provincially-appointed supervisor for the OCDSB, initiated a pilot project in November 2025 to meet directly with the chairs of school councils. The goal was to understand the issues most important to families. While the closed format of these meetings has drawn some criticism, Plamondon defended the approach, arguing it fosters more effective discussion with fewer participants. The insights gathered proved instrumental, directly informing the board's $87-million capital budget for the coming year.
Plamondon, who does not grant media interviews, shared these updates with the provincially-mandated Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) on Wednesday, January 16, 2026. He stated that facilities were a dominant theme in every conversation. "The town hall exercise has been helpful in terms of generating ideas and 'informing the budget,'" Plamondon told committee members.
Top Three Concerns Identified by Families
The consultations highlighted three critical areas repeatedly raised by parent representatives across the district.
First and foremost was the lack of air conditioning in classrooms. Plamondon noted this issue "came up over and over again," echoing concerns voiced by teachers' unions across Ontario. The problem becomes acute during heat waves, like the one experienced in June 2025, where the OCDSB had to rely on partial or portable cooling in areas like gyms and libraries.
Second, schools in rural areas reported concerns about water quality. Plamondon clarified that the water was not unsafe, but issues with unpleasant odour and taste were common complaints, making it unpalatable for students and staff.
The third major priority is the functionality of public address (PA) systems. Multiple school councils reported systems that were not working as they should. Plamondon emphasized that this is not merely an inconvenience but a genuine safety issue, as PA systems are crucial for emergency communications.
Budget Adjustments and Trade-offs
These three items were not originally covered in the draft $87-million capital budget. As a result, Plamondon has directed staff to issue new Requests for Proposal (RFPs) to address them. "So we’re going in with our RFPs right now on capital spending, with new RFPs in these areas," he confirmed.
This re-prioritization means other planned projects have been deferred. One notable casualty is a major investment in solar panels. "There were many millions of dollars allocated to solar panels, which is a good initiative to have that provide some electricity sustainability," Plamondon explained to the PIC. "But when I think about the priorities around student success and well being, these three areas that I’ve referenced — and there were others — rose to the top."
The OCDSB remains under provincial supervision, with Plamondon at the helm since June 2025. Elected trustees are not currently involved in decision-making. The board's refocused capital spending plan now directly reflects the practical, everyday concerns voiced by Ottawa's school communities, marking a clear shift toward immediate student comfort and safety.
