Photo by B. Shakyaver
The Avon Maitland District School Board is asking the Ontario government to pause and consult the public before making any changes to how English public school boards are governed.
In a letter sent to Premier Doug Ford and Education Minister Paul Calandra, Board Chair Michael Bannerman says trustees are concerned about reports that the province may eliminate the role of elected school board trustees.
Trustees say removing the role would be a major change to Ontario’s education system and should not happen without clear research, public input, and transparency.
The board is also stressing the importance of elected trustees in rural areas. Avon Maitland serves a large and mostly rural region. Trustees say rural communities face different challenges than urban centres, including long bus rides, school viability, access to programs, and community connectivity.
They argue that locally elected trustees understand these issues because they live and work in the communities they represent.
The board also raised concerns about representation. Trustees say eliminating elected trustees could affect the role of student trustees and First Nations representatives, who currently have a voice at the board table.
In the letter, Avon Maitland trustees also expressed support for the Waterloo District School Board, which has asked the Ontario Ombudsman to investigate the fairness and transparency of the government’s process.
The board says it remains committed to working with the province but believes any changes to school board governance must be evidence-based and include meaningful public consultation.