GUELPH – The Upper Grand District School Board is accepting submissions to fill the vacant trustee position representing the City of Guelph (Ward 6) and the Township of Puslinch for the remainder of the term of office ending November 14, 2026.
The seat was vacated by trustee Katherine Hauser, who was appointed to Guelph city council after Ward 6 councillor Dominique O’Rourke was elected MP for the city.
As outlined in the Education Act, applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
– must be a Canadian citizen;
– must be 18 years of age or older;
– must be a resident within the jurisdiction of Upper Grand District School Board;
– must be a public school tax supporter;
– must not be legally prohibited from voting; and
– must not be disqualified by any legislation from holding school board office.
Interested applicants who meet these requirements are asked to provide a submission which includes background and qualifications as well as answering the following questions:
– What do you believe are the opportunities and challenges in public education today?
– Why do you want to be a school trustee and what would you like to accomplish as a trustee?
– Reflecting on your knowledge of human rights in education, briefly summarize your understanding of some of the barriers to learning that students within the board may face. Please comment on how this would shape your role as trustee and how you would respond to these challenges.
– In the past, when working on projects with groups, what traits have you noticed lead to successful outcomes?
Applicants may submit their responses in their preferred format such as:
– written (approx. one to two pages, double spaced);
– video (approx. 5min in length) ; or
– slideshow.
Please include your full name and contact information, including phone number and email, with your submission.
Applicants are also required to submit an attestation of eligibility via a form on the UGDSB website.
Interviews will be scheduled the week of Oct. 6, between 6 and 8pm.
Candidates who are interested in speaking to UGDSB trustees about the trustee role are welcome to attend an information open house on Sept. 9 from 6 to 7pm.
Potential candidates are also welcome to attend the policy and priorities committee meeting taking place the same evening beginning at 7 pm or any other board and committee meeting taking place.
Deadline for submissions is noon on Sept. 22.
Email submissions to Upper Grand District School Board Attn: Nancy Fiorentino, Manager, Governance and Board Services, secretariat@ugdsb.on.ca.
The board offers the following resources:
– The Education Act;
– 2022-2026 Good Governance: A Guide for Trustees, School Boards, Directors of Education and Communities;
– 2022-2026 UGDSB Multi-Year Plan;
– School Board Trustees; and
– Trustee Application Process.
“We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and are committed to a barrier-free selection process,” the board notes in a press release.
If you require accommodation please contact Nancy Fiorentino, Manager, Governance and Board Services at secretariat@ugdsb.on.ca; requests are confidential.
Personal information is collected under the authority of the Education Act and will be used by the Upper Grand District School Board (“UGDSB”) only for the stated purpose.
The information is retained in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be disclosed to authorized UGDSB staff and trustees to administer the stated purpose of collection.
Questions regarding this collection should be directed to Nancy Fiorentino by phone at 519.822.4420. Ext. 728 or by email to nancy.fiorentino@ugdsb.on.ca.
