Your child’s voice is important! If they have questions or concerns about their school, they can talk to a Student Trustee.
What is a Student Trustee?
Under the Education Act, all school boards must have between 1 and 3 Student Trustees, who are elected each year by students. Learn more.
Student Trustees represent the voices and interests of all students by bringing forward student perspectives. A Student Trustee is a member of the Board of Trustees and as such is part of the deliberations and decision-making of all matters brought before the Board. Some critical responsibilities of the Student Trustee are to represent the interests of students during deliberations of the Board of Trustees and to communicate Board decisions to students. At the Board table, Student Trustees may suggest motions to advance issues and may cast a non-binding vote. They also act as the co-chairs of Student Senate.
How to contact a Student Trustee
- If they are a student at HWDSB scroll to the bottom of this page.
- If they are a student at HWCDSB, contact your School Board Trustee and have them connect you.
Who can you talk to as a parent/guardian?
School Council: Every school has a School Council as mandated by the Ministry of Education.
As a school council member, you can help your council discover new and exciting ways to contribute to the education of students in your school. Education is a partnership involving parents, students, teachers, principals, school boards, government, and the community. Your involvement in the council gives you the opportunity to strengthen that partnership, and to
be part of a dedicated team working to ensure a high quality of education and an accountable education system for the children of Ontario. Your participation can make a difference!
Board of Trustees: All school boards are governed by a Board of Trustees. Trustees are elected as part of the Municipal Election (every 4 years). Each Trustee represents a ward, or a couple of wards (in Hamilton there are 15 wards).
A trustee’s role is to maintain a focus on student achievement, well-being and equity and to participate in making decisions that benefit the board’s entire jurisdiction while representing the interests of their constituents. Trustees must also communicate the views and decisions of the board back to their constituents.
