Candidates are competing for positions in all 12 zones of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) in the upcoming municipal election, even though current trustees have lost their stipends and not convened for over a year due to provincial supervision. Following the submission deadline on Friday, 33 individuals have been approved to run for a seat, despite their potential lack of authority to represent constituents. Comparatively, there were 41 candidates in 2022 and 37 in 2018.
Only two incumbent trustees are seeking re-election: Jennifer Jennekens, who is running in Zone 7 after serving two terms, and Julia Fortey in Zone 2. Four current trustees are transitioning to city council roles: Donna Blackburn in Barrhaven West, Cathryne Milburn in Beacon Hill-Cyrville, Lyra Evans in Rideau-Vanier, and Donna Dickson in Gloucester-Southgate. Longtime trustee Lynn Scott is stepping down after serving on the board since 1994.
Jennekins expressed her motivation for seeking re-election, emphasizing the importance of local representation amidst significant changes in the English school system. She highlighted concerns about legislative changes impacting the role of trustees, such as the Putting Student Achievement First Act and the Supporting Children and Students Act. Despite potential limitations in their powers, Jennekins believes trustees can still raise awareness and make a difference.
New candidate Cathy Varrette, running in Zone 12 and a parent of a high-needs autistic child, aims to advocate for increased educational assistant support for students with autism. Varrette, who has been streaming OCDSB meetings after the board ceased to do so, emphasized the ongoing importance of the work despite potential limitations in decision-making abilities.
The province did not provide information on how supervision will affect the upcoming trustee elections. In other Ottawa school boards operating without supervision, the Ottawa Catholic School Board and the French catholic board have seen trustee positions filled by incumbents and single candidates, respectively.
Former city councilor Mathieu Fleury is seeking a trustee position with the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario, citing his children’s enrollment in the French public school system as a motivation. Fleury expressed concerns about the potential impacts of recent provincial legislative changes on school systems. Additionally, the Township of South Frontenac is seeking candidates for the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board trustee position after receiving no nominations thus far.