The Chair of the Limestone District School Board is urging Ontario’s Minister of Education to abandon any plans to remove elected school Trustees from the public education system.
In a letter to Minister Stephen Calandra, dated October 2, 2025, Karen McGregor stressed that Trustees provide an essential local voice in schools. She said they ensure transparency, accountability, and community engagement, acting as a bridge between families and the board. Trustees also influence funding decisions and address concerns that school administrators cannot resolve alone.
McGregor criticized suggestions that Trustees be removed, calling them inequitable and harmful to local communities. She noted that eliminating Trustees would centralize decision-making at Queen’s Park and reduce local input on policies, programs, and funding.
The letter also asks the Minister to consult with the Ontario Public School Board Association to better understand the role of Trustees in supporting publicly funded education. The board’s motion to release the letter to media highlights the importance of preserving local voices in Ontario schools.
School boards say elected Trustees are vital for representing families and ensuring fair governance.
Written by Emily Chatwood
