About

What is CODE?

CODE stands for Council of Ontario Directors of Education. We represent the leaders of all 73 publicly funded school boards in Ontario.

Specifically, we represent four different organizations:

  • CODEC - Conseil ontarien des directions de l’éducation catholique
  • CODEP - Conseil ontarien des directions de l’éducation publique
  • ECCODE - English Catholic Council of Directors of Education
  • PCODE - Public Council of Ontario Directors of Education

Strategic Priorities

To achieve our goals, CODE has established three strategic priorities:

1. Advocacy:
We advocate for policies and programs that improve student achievement, ensure safety, and promote well-being. That means working with decision-makers, securing funding, and supporting the recruitment and retention of skilled staff.

2. Leadership
We help members grow as leaders by offering networking, mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to share solutions to community challenges.

3. Equity and inclusion
We promote equity and inclusion to ensure all students learn practical knowledge, job skills, and life skills in safe, supportive environments — no matter who they are.

Executive Assistant: Kathy Sanford

Kathy has been with CODE/COEP since 1992 and is responsible for coordinating a broad range of services and resources that enable CODE and COEP to operate efficiently. She collaborates closely with the Executive Director to manage membership and conferences, oversee projects, assist with Ministry liaison, and handle the financial aspects of the organization.

Administrative Coordinator (COEP): Janette Jensen

Janette joined the COEP team in 2012. Working closely with the Executive Director and COEP Project Managers, Janette coordinates and assists with project work activities, with an emphasis on the School-College-Work-Initiative (SCWI).

Accountant: Dean Currie

N. Dean Currie CPA, CGA as Principal Consultant to the CMAC Group brings over 35 years of experience in the Public and Private sector Management. Dean's specialty areas include Finance, Financial Reporting and Analysis, Budget Process Design/Reporting, Business System Project Planning/Implementation, Business Planning, Policy Development/Compliance Auditing.

Along with his work with CODE, Dean continues to work with the Council of School Business Officials Ontario as its Collaborative Effective and Efficiency Projects Coordinator. The program’s mission is to increase management capacity in the corporate service division of Ontario School Boards and provide cost effective management solution to common issues across school boards.

Dean previously served as a Supervisory Officer Business and Treasurer of three Ontario School Board and as Director and Treasurer of ECNO.

Executive Director: Laura Elliott

As Executive Director, Laura oversees CODE’s daily operations. With over 35 years in education, including 20+ years in senior leadership, she previously served as Director of Education with Thames Valley District School Board and held senior leadership roles at the Ontario Ministry of Education, Ontario College of Teachers and Durham District School Board. Laura believes Ontario’s publicly funded schools provide world-class education and empower our students to achieve their goals.