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Candidate FAQs

How can I get my candidate information posted on this website?

You can e-mail information about your candidacy to TrusteeCandidateInfo@oesc-cseo.org. Please include your name, school board and ward in your email. You may also include a photo, a brief biography, email address and website address for us to include with your profile.

For further information see The Legal Page of this site.

Where does the candidate information posted on this site come from?

The information posted on this website is (a) the information available from municipal websites registered at the time candidates filed their nomination paper with the municipal clerk and (b) information candidates have provided directly to the administrator of the website.

What information should I provide about myself for this website?

For further information see The Legal Page of this site.

What is a school board trustee?

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.

Can anyone be a school board trustee?

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.

For further information see The Legal Page of this site.

When filing a nomination a candidate must meet all of the following requirements:

(*"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.

Do I have to live in a particular ward or zone to run as the school board trustee representing that ward?

As long as you are a candidate qualified to run for election as a school board trustee, you can seek a nomination for any "ward" in the jurisdiction of the school board. Some school boards are divided into geographical areas, zones or wards and others are considered "at large" and represent the entire jurisdiction.

Do school board trustees get paid?

The amount varies from board to board and is limited by Ontario Regulation 357/06 (Honoraria for Board Members). The honorarium is made up of an annual base amount, an amount related to the school board's enrolment, an amount payable to the trustee for attendance at meetings, and a distance amount in the case of boards covering large areas. The chair and vice-chair of a board are entitled to additional amounts for the responsibility of their office. The honorarium amount across Ontario limits from $7,500 to $29,500.

How do I declare I am running for school board trustee?

You can get nomination papers from the clerk of your local municipality. They are also available online at www.ontario.ca/municipalelections. You must file your nomination paper, signed with original signatures, in person or designate an agent to file on your behalf. It cannot be faxed, mailed, or e-mailed. Proof of identity and qualifications must be shown and a nomination filing fee ($100 for school trustee) must be paid at the time of filing. You can file your nomination paper at the local office of the municipal clerk until August 19, 2022.