Policy 1.1.11 STUDENT TRUSTEES

District School Board Ontario North East recognizes the importance of student voice in public education governance. Meaningful student participation at the Board level supports informed decision-making, strengthens transparency, and promotes policies and practices that reflect the lived experiences and perspectives of pupils.

The establishment of Student Trustee positions fulfills the requirements of Ontario legislation and affirms the Board’s commitment to student engagement, leadership development, and democratic participation. By providing structured representation for students, the Board ensures that student perspectives are considered in Board deliberations while maintaining the governance responsibilities of elected Trustees.

4.1 The function of the Student Trustee is to represent the interests of pupils at meetings of the Board.

4.2 As the representative of student opinion and concern at the Board level, the Student Trustee is obligated to make himself or herself available to the general concerns and views of the students they represent.

4.3 The Student Trustees will report regularly to the Board’s Student Senate.

5.1 The candidates for the position of Student Trustee must be a full-time student at a secondary school in the senior division within the jurisdiction of District School Board Ontario North East.

See Policy 1.1.13 – Student Senate Constitution

8.1 Student Trustees will have a regular seat at the board table.

8.2 Student Trustees may be appointed to the various Committees of the Board. Appointment will take place at the annual Organization meeting.

8.3 The Chair of the Board and Vice-Chair of the Board may assign Trustees as Trustee Mentors to the Student Trustees.

8.4 A Student Trustee is not entitled to a “binding vote”. (s.55(2))

8.5 A Student Trustee is entitled to request a recorded vote at any board meeting or committee meeting so that the student trustee’s vote can be duly reported. (s. 55(3))

8.6 In the event that a Student Trustee requests a recorded vote, the Education Act requires that two votes actually occur, the first including the Student Trustee vote and the second without the Student Trustee’s vote (s.55(3)(a) and (b)).

8.7 Student Trustees are allowed to participate in all Board meetings except those closed under clause 207(2).

8.8 Student trustees have the same access to Board resources and opportunities for training (s.55(7))

8.9 In the event the Student Trustee resigns from the position or fails to maintain satisfactory meeting attendance, the Board reserves the right to replace that Student Trustee. Section 228 1(b) of the Education Act will be used as a guideline to monitor such attendance.

9.1 Board policy, “Trustee Expenses” will apply for travel and out-of-pocket expenses for the Student Trustee to fulfill their functions at Board and committee meetings.

9.2 Conference attendance for the Student Trustees will be at the discretion of the Board.

10.1 A Student Trustee is entitled to receive an honorarium of $2,500 from the Board in accordance with the regulations if the specified conditions are satisfied. 2006, c. 10, s. 6