The board was created as part of a province-wide reorganization of the public education system.

A report on its English-language high schools issued in 1985 recommended four closures.

The OBE opposed transfers of its campuses to the Ottawa Separate School Board.

[1] In 1985 two trustees stated public opposition to the closures, arguing that the board should focus on improved education.

The new Board is responsible for providing English public education to all students in the entire Ottawa-Carleton region.