Recognizing Local Government Week in the DDSB

October 20^th to 26^th is Local Government Week, and the Durham District School Board (DDSB) recognizes the importance of this week, as it brings a greater awareness to the role that local government plays in our communities. 

Our very own DDSB Trustees, Student Trustees, and Student Senate members are perfect examples of advocacy in action. Trustees are elected for a four-year term during a municipal election, and Student Trustees are elected by their secondary school peers and serve a one-year term. 

“My role is to promote the ideas of students and their needs to Board officials, and to support the needs of students at a school level,” explains Sally Meseret, DDSB Student Trustee and President of the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association. “Providing students with the opportunity to have a say in the policies and practices of our Board will ensure that students have both a greater understanding of how decisions are made, and that those decisions will also reflect their needs.” 

Responsibilities of Student Trustees include assisting in setting and upholding policies, advocating for the needs of their communities, and explaining the policies and decisions of the DDSB to residents. 

Trustees play a key role by being available to taxpayers, parents, and other community members to address any concerns regarding the public school system. Trustees and Student Trustees provide an important link between school boards and the public. 

“As the oldest form of government in Canada, Trustees are the only elected representation solely responsible for public education. Our primary goal is to create equity and opportunity for all students, to represent all of our constituents and represent the unique needs of our community,” says Michael Barrett, Chair of the DDSB. 

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is responsible for public education in the rural settings of Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog Townships and the urban settings of Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa. The DDSB employs 6,900 teaching and educational services staff. With 133 elementary and secondary schools and learning centres, the DDSB accommodates more than 70,000 regular day students and thousands more who take advantage of a wide variety of continuing education and adult credit courses. More information can be found on the DDSB’s website at www.ddsb.ca. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @DurhamDSB, Instagram @durhamschools and YouTube at DurhamDSB.

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