Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Education Officer

“I am honoured to continue contributing to student achievement and well-being in collaboration with a dedicated team. I look forward to working with Trustees, staff, students, parents/guardians, federations/unions and community partners to gather input for the creation of our new strategic plan. Together, we will define our priorities and move them forward, including our ongoing work in truth and reconciliation and equity and inclusion.”

Bruce Bourget, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Education Officer

Bruce Bourget was appointed Director of Education in September 2021, serving as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Education Officer for the Rainbow District School Board. When Bill 101 received Royal Assent, he became Chief Executive Officer. He continues in the role of Chief Education Officer.

Bruce Bourget is honoured to contribute to student achievement and well-being in collaboration with committed Trustees, dedicated administrators, talented educators and wonderful support staff in Rainbow Schools and the Centre for Education.

He values parent and community involvement in schools because he knows they have a positive and powerful impact on student achievement. He has established respectful relationships with the First Nations communities served by the Board in Sudbury, Espanola and Manitoulin Island.
As Director of Education, Bruce Bourget led the consultations for Strategic Directions. With broad input from internal and external partners, he worked with Trustees to define the vision, mission, values and priorities of the Rainbow District School Board.

The Rainbow District School Board has successfully implemented and balanced budgets in Program, Student Success, Managing Information for Student Achievement (MISA), and Human Resources. The annual budget provides the financial framework to move the priorities forward. Staffing, the most significant investment, is aligned to maximize student success.

A respected educator and educational leader, Bruce Bourget has held a number of positions of added responsibility within the Rainbow District School Board – classroom teacher, special education resource teacher, program leader, vice-principal, principal, student success leader, principal of program for 7 to 12, and Superintendent of Schools.

In addition to overseeing a family of schools, Superintendent Bourget was responsible for a number of portfolios including human resources, labour relations, contract negotiations, student success, and health and safety, including the development and implementation of all Covid-19 protocols and procedures to keep everyone safe.

The pandemic also required Superintendent Bourget to work through the challenges of multiple reorganizations to accommodate in-class and online learning. Quarterly surveys were used to gauge student and parent/guardian choice.
Bruce Bourget led the staffing process for teacher bargaining units, within budget and Ministry of Education parameters. Financial stability, accountability and sustainability were achieved through successful contract negotiations, the management and maintenance of class sizes, the reduction of surplus space, and purposeful planning to ensure quality education in quality facilities.

He guided elementary and secondary school administrators through work to rule and labour disruptions related to provincial bargaining. He also led discussions to update the terms and conditions for non-union employees.

In his current role, Bruce Bourget continues to support Human Resources in effectively dealing with personnel related matters, staffing, bargaining, attendance management, and compliance with human rights and labour relations legislation.

As an instructional leader, Superintendent Bourget played a lead role in the creation of Barrydowne College, a highly successful re-engagement school at Cambrian College. Since its inception, more than 1,000 students have returned to school to complete their diploma and pursue their studies or find employment.

As a classroom teacher, Bruce Bourget taught Math, Business Studies, Science and Physical Education in secondary schools.

An Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Co-Curricular Program recipient, Bruce Bourget has coached basketball, volleyball, and track and field, and has convened OFSAA basketball. He truly appreciates the opportunities school and community coaches provide to students through various sports and clubs.

Bruce Bourget is an active contributor to the Council of Directors of Education (CODE) as a member of the Executive. He also participates in the CODE Mentorship Program, an opportunity to share his experience with a new CEO.

Bruce Bourget was the Northern Ontario Regional Team and Centre for Performance Coach for Basketball Ontario and also served as Provincial Chair. In 2010, he was Chair of the Olympic Torch Relay Celebration in Greater Sudbury. He has coached club basketball since 2010. Prior to that, he coached Walden Minor Soccer.

Bruce Bourget has a Masters of Education from Nipissing University, a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from Laurentian University. He has completed the Rotman School of Business Executive Program. He is a graduate of Nickel District Secondary School in Sudbury, which was part of the school board he is proud to serve.