School Board Trustee FAQs
The Office of the Municipal Clerk/Retuning Officer is here to provide assistance with helping you identify ‘where to look’ if you have campaign questions. Email us at [email protected] or call us at (613) 338-2811 ext. 211 or ext. 277 for assistance with navigating the various Acts and guides provided to you in your nomination package. Matters of interpretation of the Municipal Elections Act to your specific situation should be referred to a lawyer.
Your question might have already been asked by someone else. Here is a list of common School Board Trustee Questions.
School Board Trustees are the members of the district school board. They are locally-elected representatives of the public and they are the community’s advocate for public education. As a member of the board their role is to assist the board in fulfilling its duties under Ontario’s Education Act. They must maintain a focus on student achievement and well-being and help make decisions that benefit the whole school board district while representing the interests of their constituents. They must also communicate the views and decisions of the board back to their constituents.
A person is qualified to be elected as a school board trustee if the person is qualified to vote in a school board election and is a resident of the school board district.
When filing a nomination a candidate must meet all of the following requirements:
– a resident within the jurisdiction of the board;
– a supporter* of the board;
– a Canadian citizen;
– at least 18 years old;
– Roman Catholic (if running for a Catholic school board);
– not legally prohibited from voting; and
– not disqualified by any legislation from holding school board office.
(*”Supporter” refers to the individual’s support for one of the four publically funded school systems. A list of supporters for each system is kept by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.)
Note: A candidate, if nominated, must remain qualified throughout the election and, if elected, throughout the term of office. The term of office is 4 years. School board candidates should confirm that they have the qualifications described here and in section 219 of the Education Act. It is the responsibility of the candidate to determine whether he or she is qualified to be elected to and hold office.