HALDIMAND — Traditionally, school board trustees are elected to represent their communities for decisions affecting local schools, students, and families, but things are changing as the Ontario government has taken a more active role in school board operations, with increased oversight and accountability for trustees.
Of the four school boards operating in Haldimand, three had their sole candidate acclaimed. The Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB) however has five candidates on the ballot.
Candidate Lisa Passmore did not reply to a request for comment as of publication.
The Press asked the remaining four candidates the same three questions.
Look to next week’s edition for profiles on the accalimed school board trustees for the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board; Conseil scolaire Viamonde; and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir.
Why are you running for the position of school board trustee and what relevant experiences or skills will assist you in this role?
Judy Brough
As an elementary school teacher of 34 years, I would bring a unique experience to the board. I taught Grades 1 and 3 for 12 years in the private Christian school system. I taught as a supply teacher for the Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (JK – Grade 8) for 22 years. I’ve seen the strengths and weaknesses of each system.
Patrick Cook
I believe the education system is under attack from the Ontario government and I have the skill, knowledge, and experience to help move our education in a positive way forward.
The relevant experiences I have are as follows: I took part on Northview Elementary School’s Parent Council and McKinnon Park Secondary’s. I was also part of the Special Education Advisory Committee.
I was blessed by Haldimand County by having them voting me as their elected representative to sit on GEDSB from 2000-2006.
Tyrrel Crawford
This past year, my wife and I chose to represent French Immersion (FI) parents in an effort to protect the FI Kindergarten Program within the GEDSB. We spent months combing and compiling research, organizing parents, calling and emailing board members and trustees, all in hopes of making our case against its removal. When we were finally permitted a delegation, only one trustee asked any questions, and only two voted yes to re-evaluating the decision to remove it.
I’m running for trustee because I want parents to feel heard when they reach out about their concerns, by being accessible and asking questions, and because I want parents to be involved and have a choice when decisions are being made in regards to their child’s education.
Jenn Montague
I’m a proud mom of four children, three who have graduated and one entering high school. Because of them, I have spent almost 20 years involved in education and my community. I have served as Parent Council Chair at JL Mitchener Public School, been a member of Cayuga Secondary School’s Parent Council and Grand Erie Parent Involvement Committee (GEPIC), recently completing a two-year term as chair. I’ve also been involved in various community events and committees.
Through these experiences, I have built relationships with parents, students, teachers, school board staff, and community members.
I have seen firsthand that it truly takes a village to raise a child, and I would be honoured to continue working with our community to help students thrive.
What do you see as some of the top challenges facing your school board over the next four years and what are some ideas you would bring forward to address these challenges?
Judy Brough
Some top challenges facing the board in the next four years include illiteracy in reading and math. Proficiency in these core subjects is vital to our students’ academic foundation. Without mastery in these subjects, students struggle. GEDSB EQAO scores (2024-2025) show math scores in Grade 3 at 64%, Grade 6 at 51%, and Grade 9 at 58%. The solution:
Do not advance students until they are proficient in these subjects.
Emphasize critical thinking skills. Teach students how to think, not what to think.
Bring back the “Art of Debate.” Students who research both sides of a topic learn to speak publicly with confidence and to respect and value the opinions of others.
Students with special needs and those with behavioural needs require classrooms and teachers who specialize in those areas.
GEDSB’s goal is to “learn, lead and inspire.”
Patrick Cook
There are many challenges facing the school boards in Ontario. Premier Ford does not seem to like the education system. The premier has actually been talking about removing local representation and having all decisions made from Queen’s Park. We need to have local representation because I live here with my grandsons, nieces, and nephews. Haldimand County needs a strong voice to try and have Queen’s Park understand most decisions need to be made locally.
There are two more new policies introduced I do not understand. The first is there is now a 90% attendance required for students to be able to receive their diploma.
And the second one would be the introduction of a Home Financial course, which the students must get at least a 70% average.
Are these realistic averages to reach for?
Tyrrel Crawford
Over the next four years the GEDSB, and many other boards, will be facing the challenge of how to best manage their finances to maximize academic goals with real financial limitations. Keeping student needs and staffing requirements met is no easy task, especially when there’s not enough money in our provincial education system to begin with.
I would recommend and support proposals that are research based, helping improve academic success and lowering long-term costs. When students aren’t provided with the tools they need to learn, the academic gap between them and their peers becomes greater, making it more difficult to catch up and requiring even more resources to succeed.
Jenn Montague
Over the next four years, I believe Grand Erie’s primary focus should be student achievement and engagement. Every student should feel they belong and have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their learning needs or background.
We need to listen closely to educators and families, identify where students are struggling, and ensure resources reach the classrooms and students who need them most. Creating opportunities to connect learning with real-life experiences, trades, and technology can also help students see the value in their education.
Communication must go both ways. The Board needs to communicate clearly, but also genuinely listen to families and communities. As a Parent Council and GEPIC Chair, bringing people together, listening, and finding solutions has always been important to me.
The Province has announced they are taking a more active role in school board operations, including new accountability measures for trustees. Do you think these boards need this additional oversight? Why or why not?
Judy Brough
My initial response to the plan to increase the Provincial role in school board operations is this: The more involvement there is from the Province, the less input and say parents will have about what happens in their children’s school. School board trustees will be limited in their effectiveness. One of the main roles of a school board trustee is “to ensure that the board’s decisions align with community needs and values … and that educational decisions represent the interests of their constituents.”
Patrick Cook
It is my opinion that there is no need for greater oversight from Queen’s Park. Most of the trustees are very mindful of their roles they play for the community and act in a responsible manner. And on the rare occasion something goes wrong, the government already has the ability to step in – as they have already done so. Take Brantford Catholic School Board as an example.
Tyrrel Crawford
No. Though I believe trustees should be subject to accountability, students and communities should not suffer the consequences.
Many of the changes take away the autonomy of school boards to represent their constituents. Schools are a public service, not a business, and education requires proper funding for appropriate staffing and resources. Punishing school boards for not cutting enough corners to save money only punishes our students.
Jenn Montague
I support accountability around finances, budgets, and spending as the Province takes a more active role in school boards.
However, a cookie-cutter approach will not work for every community. Rural and urban schools have different needs.
Community trustees are essential to ensuring parents, students, and schools continue to have a voice while working within clear provincial guidelines.
I hope voters see me as someone who genuinely cares about all our children and their success.
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