Local Government Week 2025

School board trustees are members of a district school board. They are locally-elected representatives of the public, and they are the community’s advocates for public education.  

School board trustees are the oldest form of elected representation in Ontario. Since 1807, generations of community-minded citizens have made decisions on behalf of local, publicly funded schools, building the foundation of the system we have today.  

The election of school board trustees is governed by the Education Act and the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. Both are the laws or rules that trustees follow.  

The Kindergarten-Grade 12 education sector is the second-largest recipient of provincial funding, after healthcare. The provincial government is investing more than $30.7 billion for the 2025-26 school year.  

Public school trustees oversee budgets ranging from more than $50 million to $3.7 billion.   

The next municipal election will be held on October 26, 2026.     

Attend and participate in meetings of the board, including meetings of board committees  

Consult with parents, students and supporters of the board on the board’s multi-year plan   

Bring concerns of parents, students and supporters of the board to the attention of the board  

Uphold the implementation of any board resolution after it is passed by the board  

Entrust the day–to-day management of the board to its staff through the board’s director of education  

Maintain focus on student achievement and well-being  

Comply with the board’s code of conduct.  

operating schools according to provincial legislation  

having a vision statement that reflects the board’s philosophy and local needs and priorities  

setting the board’s budget within the provincial grants and accompanying regulations  

implementing curriculum according to ministry curriculum policy  

developing and delivering other programs that reflect provincial policies and local priorities  

providing for the hiring of teachers and other staff required in their schools  

maintaining school buildings and property with regard to student safety and in accordance with provincial legislation  

monitoring the policies of the schools and the achievement of students and, through the director of education, holding the entire system accountable for meeting provincial and board standards.