The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board is urging the Ontario government to consult the public before making any decision that could eliminate English public school board trustees.
At its February 24 meeting, trustees approved a motion requesting the Ministry of Education develop and implement a formal, province wide consultation process prior to any change in trustee representation. The board is calling for town hall meetings, surveys, focus groups and round table discussions to gather input from students, parents, staff and community members.
The request comes in the context of Ontario’s Bill 33, legislation that has received Royal Assent and significantly expands the province’s authority over school boards and post secondary institutions. Among its provisions, Bill 33 allows the Minister of Education to replace elected trustees with appointed supervisors.
Trustees are also asking the Ontario Ombudsman to review the potential impacts of removing English public trustees, particularly in relation to fairness, openness, transparency and accountability.
Board Chair Paul Brown says locally elected trustees are deeply connected to their communities and play an essential role in ensuring local decision making reflects student and family needs.
In addition to the governance motion, trustees marked Black History Month, welcomed newly elected Student Trustees Aizah Chaudhry and Sayed Karimzad, and approved the 2026 to 2027 school year calendar, which will now be submitted to the Ministry for final approval.
The board says meaningful community dialogue must take place before any structural changes to trustee representation are considered.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)