Ontario municipal and school board elections are almost upon us, and while the media has done an excellent job highlighting the candidates running for municipal council, they seem to have paid less attention to those candidates vying to become school board trustees.
Trustees play a vital role in public education and it is important that voters know who their candidates are, and what they stand for.
What is a school board trustee? Trustees work together to set the vision for their school board. They approve the annual budget and ensure the effective management of board resources. They develop and regularly review a multi-year plan that drives programs and operations in the school board. They set policy direction.
Trustees promote student achievement, well-being and equity, and make decisions at the board table that will benefit all students. Trustees have no individual authority to make decisions or take action – their authority rests in the board as a whole. Trustees do not have a role in day-to-day management of the board, but they are expected to bring concerns from students, parents and the community to the board’s attention.
Trustees are role models, and champions for equity and for high standards in education. So before you vote, talk to your school board trustee candidates. Find out what their educational values are, and why they have chosen to run. Be informed.
A listing of school board trustee candidates is available on the City of Greater Sudbury website under 2018 Certified Candidates.
Judy Kosmerly
Trustee candidate (acclaimed)
Area 3
Rainbow District School Board
