The Toronto District School Board has released the map of its new wards days before potential trustee candidates could register to run for the fall election.
There will be 12 trustee wards, down from the current 22. The reduction is part of a bill tabled by the Ontario government earlier this month aimed at overhauling school governance in the province.
With the exception of one, each new trustee will represent two Toronto wards. Trustee for Ward 7, however, will serve the city wards of Toronto-St. Paul’s, University-Rosedale and Toronto Centre.
Those who want to become a school trustee can file their nomination paper with the city clerk starting on May 1.
The current 22 TDSB trustees are suspended after the province placed the board under provincial supervision, citing financial mismanagement.
Some trustees voiced concerns about the education bill, saying it would reduce accountability.
However, Education Minister Paul Calandra defended the changes, saying the intention of the legislation was to “refocus” their jobs around representing parents and students.
“Parents should expect a consistent level of education. We’re just not getting that. We’re seeing divisiveness within boards,” Calandra previously told CP24.
“Some of our boards or trustees are spending more money fighting themselves than they were on some of the educational programs in the province.”
With files from CP24’s Joshua Freeman
