Voting for the School Board Trustee

2 min to read

When voting in this municipal election if we have directed our taxes to the York Region District School Board (YRDSB), we will have a choice to make for school trustees. (The York Catholic School Board School trustees are acclaimed).

It is easy to not be making an informed vote. I remember looking at the names and voting for the one that had a name that sounded like a school trustee. OOH. I can do better than that.

21% of our taxes goes to the school board. (51 % for the Region and 28% for the municipality). But it should not just be the money. We should all care how the next generations are educated. Obviously, it determines the type of community we will live in. And beyond.

A trustee is not a symbolic figure. They are tasked with the fiduciary and moral oversight of the York Region District School Board (YRDSB), managing a $1.8 billion for the 2025–2026 school year.

Under Ontario's Education Act, school trustees hold significant responsibilities:

Strategic Governance: Setting the board's multi-year strategic plan and goals to improve student achievement and well-being.
Fiscal Responsibility: Reviewing and approving the annual budget to ensure resources are allocated effectively—from special education support and mental health initiatives to classroom technology and building maintenance.
Policy Development: Creating and updating policies regarding student safety, code of conduct, inclusion, and curriculum implementation.
Leadership Oversight: Hiring, evaluating, and working directly with the Director of Education to ensure board policies are executed.

Generally, the trustee will have two formal board meetings each month.

To fulfill their governance duties, trustees are also required to:

Serve on Committees: Trustees are appointed to various standing and ad hoc committees (such as the Budget Committee, Policy and Bylaw Committee, or special appeal committees). These committees meet regularly, often monthly, to conduct in-depth work on specific issues before they reach the main board table.
Attend Special Meetings: In addition to the scheduled calendar, special meetings are called to address urgent matters or specific topics that require board action outside of the regular cycle.
Engage with the Community: A significant portion of a trustee's time involves meetings with parents, parent council representatives, school administrators, and community members to discuss local school concerns and gather feedback.

If our taxes have been directed to YRDSB we will be voting for one candidate for Wards 1, 2 and 4 or one candidate for Wards, 3, 5 and 6.

These questions were sent to the candidates and an interview was scheduled. There was a 90 second time limit for the “Tough Questions”

Tough Questions

1. Schools in higher-income neighbourhoods often have greater fundraising opportunities than those in lower-income communities. As a school trustee, how would you help ensure that all students have equitable access to enrichment activities and resources, regardless of their school's fundraising capacity?

2. Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how students learn and teachers teach. What guidance and support should school boards provide teachers on using AI effectively and responsibly in the classroom?

3. We hear a great deal about the mental health challenges facing students. Rather than focusing solely on these challenges, what practical steps could schools take to help students build resilience, confidence and the ability to cope with life's difficulties?

4. Schools should be welcoming and respectful places for everyone. As a trustee, what specific actions would you support to address discrimination against students and staff based on race, religion, ethnicity, country of origin or gender identification?

5. Many believe provincial funding for public education is inadequate. What opportunities do school boards and trustees have to advocate effectively for increased funding from the provincial government?

6. Do you support having York Regional Police officers present in schools? If so, what should their role be? How would you respond to students and parents who are uncomfortable with a police presence in their schools?

Six Not So Tough Questions

1. What's your favourite sport — to play or to watch?

2. Do you speak any languages other than English? If so, which ones?

3. Thinking back to your school days, what was your favourite thing to find in your lunch box?

4. What's your favourite place in Richmond Hill, and why?

5. Back in school, which subjects would you have chosen: history or geography? Chemistry or biology? English or French?

6. Have you ever been skydiving? If not, would you consider giving it a try?

The responses from the candidates are:

Wards 1, 2 and 4