There will be a number of new faces on the board of trustees for the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) after the Oct. 26 municipal election. There are eleven trustee positions on the board, and only two incumbents are running. Carla Johnson, who previously served as a trustee, initially planned on running and was a certified candidate. However, in September, she withdrew from the race due to health concerns. CTV News reached out to candidates running for a WRDSB trustee position and asked them all to respond to the same question in approximately 150 words: If you are elected as a trustee, what will your priority be? Their responses are below. Kitchener (four candidates will be elected) Marjorie A. Brown My focus will be in ensuring all students have access to all learning opportunities. I would work closely with educators to best determine how funding should be allocated and to identify which schools would most benefit from additional resources. Lately, there has been a focus on safe classrooms. In speaking with teachers and staff it seems that a lot of the increase in violence in school settings and the deterioration of learning conditions are the result of fewer students having access to congregated classrooms, where their needs are best met. There has been a continuous decrease in funding for special education; inclusion without support is abandonment. I would work with my trustee colleagues to lobby the provincial government to return money to our most underserved and marginalized students. We need to provide conditions that allow all students to thrive. Mark Cairns Prevention and Early Intervention of bullying: Using verbal reminders, tracking behavior patterns, and addressing minor issues early through counseling or conflict mediation before they escalate. Individualized Support: Factoring in a student’s unique needs, background, and Individual Education Plan (IEP) when required Inclusion and LGBTQ+ Support: Implementing policies that protect transgender and non-binary students, supporting Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), and utilizing inclusive pronouns. Equity and Social Justice: Adopting anti-racism frameworks, diversifying curricula to reflect marginalized histories, and re-evaluating disciplinary practices that disproportionately impact minority students. Resource Allocation and Social Support: Directing funds toward mental health resources, specialized support staff, and community-centric programs rather than relying strictly on standardized testing metrics. Community Advocacy: Act as a bridge between the local community and the school system, voicing constituent concerns and explaining board decisions. Student Focus: Promote student success, safe learning environments, and equitable access to programs. Uche Michael Emelife This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Brent Hutzal As a post-secondary educator and a parent of three daughters at various levels within WRDSB, I believe that student well-being is the critical foundation of everything that we hope to accomplish as educators and parents - other priorities would not be possible or relevant if our students do not have a sense of safety, belonging, and physical and mental health. I have volunteered for numerous community organizations that support causes involving children and youth, education, health and well-being, and my wife is Chief of Pediatrics at WRHN, so these are causes that are very important in our home. An improvement in student well-being, and increased engagement with all WRDSB stakeholders, will inherently improve staff well-being and academic achievement. As a CPA accountant, I would use my expertise to enhance the Trustee review of the $1B budget, so that the impact of each dollar is maximized in support of these priorities. Ahmed Kassad My commitments to Kitchener students, parents, and taxpayers include: I am committed to being an accessible, accountable voice who ensures every student is supported and every dollar spent produces real results. Mandy Kaur My first priority will be ensuring that our education budget is focused on students and that we advocate for increased funding where it is needed. Every dollar should be used responsibly to improve student learning, safety, mental well-being, classroom resources, and support for educators. As a trustee, I will push for strong financial accountability and transparency, while advocating for the resources our schools and students need. I will listen to students, families, and educators, ask the difficult questions, and make sure our decisions remain student-centred and community-focused. My commitment is simple: put students first, invest in our classrooms, support our educators, and ensure every public dollar works toward better outcomes for our students. Sajid Mohamed Farooq Kolsawala This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Julia Malott This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Rachel McQuail My name is Rachel McQuail and as a Kitchener WRDSB Trustee I will advocate for a properly funded public education system. Having raised my now high-school aged children here, I’ve seen the impact of our public schools first hand. I believe an inclusive public school system where everyone belongs and is able to thrive is the foundation of a healthy society. My priority as a WRDSB Trustee will be student and staff well-being. Students can’t learn when they are struggling and staff cannot effectively help students when they are inadequately supported. Our public education system is being purposefully eroded which is harming staff, students, families, and thus our community. As a Trustee I am committed to protecting public education by engaging with families to understand their needs and listening to educators’ lived experiences. Please participate in democracy and vote for our young people and our community on Monday October 26th. Baboucarr Saidy This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Ibtissam Soliman This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Narine Dat Sookram If elected as a WRDSB Trustee, my priority will be putting students at the centre of every decision we make. I believe children deserve to feel safe, supported, included and respected while receiving a strong academic foundation. My two key areas of focus will be student well-being and academic achievement—because students deserve to feel well, learn well and achieve well. I will advocate for strong literacy and numeracy outcomes, accessible mental-health and student-support services, safe and welcoming schools, and meaningful opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and practical life skills. I will also listen to students, families, educators and community partners and use evidence and measurable outcomes to help guide board decisions. As a Trustee, I will bring my experience in mental health, social work, education and community leadership to help ensure that every child has an opportunity to thrive. Learn more: www.drnarinedatsookram.com Sara Taghizadeh-Heroux If elected, one of my priorities will be addressing classroom disruptions and ensuring students and educators have the supports they need. I want to continue the work of collecting data on classroom evacuations and disruptions so we clearly understand the scope of the problem. I would also advocate for WRDSB to work with other Ontario school boards to collect comparable data and bring that larger evidence base to the provincial government. We need to demonstrate clearly where additional resources are needed and advocate collectively for adequate provincial funding. Teachers cannot do this alone. Classrooms experiencing significant needs require appropriate support from Educational Assistants, Child and Youth Workers and other professionals. Students and staff deserve safe learning environments. Good data, transparency and collaboration with other boards can help us make a stronger case for the resources our classrooms need. Cambridge and North Dumfries (Three candidates will be elected) Shannon Adshade This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Syed Ahmed This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Naeem Awan This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. John J. Dideczek This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Carla Johnson This candidate has indicated that she has withdrawn from the race, however, because the decision was made after the nomination deadline Johnson’s name will still appear on the ballot. Richard Pfeifle This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Riaz Sial This candidate did not submit a response by CTV News Kitchener’s Oct. 7 deadline. Cindy Watson My priority will be to ensure that academic achievement and well-being will become the central focus of every students educational journey and that parents are valued and included as important partners in education. Divisive ideologies and identity politics have no place in the classroom . We need to focus on what unifies students, parents and staff and not what divides. Student should be taught how to think for themselves and not what to think. Each students is important, valued and belongs in public education. I will continue to advocate for students, parents, staff and community members to ensure that all voices are heard at the board table and are included in the decision making process, especially dissenting voices. Students need the resources and support to help them succeed academically, especially students with exceptional needs and students at risk. When students, parents, staff and community members are valued and included students will experience success and preparation for the next step in their educational career. Waterloo & Wilmot (Three candidates to be elected) Cristina Bairos Fernandes My priority will be ensuring the school board is accountable to the students, families and public it serves—not special interests or the ideology of the day. Through School Council, WRAPSC, the Parent Involvement Committee, delegations, FOIs and conversations with staff, I have witnessed barriers to meaningful parent participation. I want to remove those barriers and protect freedom of speech and conscience. That means honourable governance, transparency, responsible financial stewardship and measurable accountability. With a budget approaching $1 billion, resources should reach classrooms and demonstrably improve student outcomes—not unnecessary bureaucracy or initiatives that cannot demonstrate results. Above all, children need safe, learning environments, age-appropriate instruction, and freedom from unnecessary disruption. Educators should be able to teach, and students should be free to learn, create, think critically, and flourish. Public education should be a system families trust and choose—not simply one they use because they have no other choice. Brian Best So my priority is to really secure the space, staffing and support students need as our communities grow. Waterloo Region is planning for a roughly 50% population growth between now and 2051, with much of the new housing in existing neighbourhoods. What we need is clear plans to repair, expand or replace aging schools, including those built in the 1950s like Prueter PS. I will push for public dashboards, building on my Lexington example, showing school capacity, repair needs and funding requests. Families should see what their schools need, what trustees are asking for and where decisions are stalled. I want to rally our community up to demand more from our provincial government to secure the funding and approvals we need for new schools, expansions and rebuilds. Our schools also need educational assistants and special education supports. Every student in Waterloo and Wilmot deserves a well-resourced, inclusive school. Brian Bourke This candidate told CTV News he has withdrawn from the race, however, because the decision was made after the nomination deadline Bourke’s name will still appear on the ballot. Karen Coviello It is time to restore trust and confidence in WRDSB’s board of trustees. I offer strong and experienced leadership at a time when we need it the most. First and foremost, I want to help build a school system that prepares our students to succeed today and to be confident, skilled, and resilient in a rapidly changing world. That means keeping students at the centre of board decisions and focusing on the things that make the biggest difference to their success: strong teaching and learning, school safety, mental health and wellbeing, and equity and inclusion for all. School board trustees have a responsibility to be good stewards of public resources. I will bring my experience to the table to ask hard questions, expect accountability, listen to students, families, educators, and the broader community, and make decisions based on evidence rather than politics or ideology. I will also advocate for fair provincial funding that meets the needs of our rapidly growing community. Clinton Heffernan My priority as a trustee will be to refocus our school board on education, safety and accountability. Students should be meeting or exceeding provincial standards, which means returning to strong foundational learning, consistent expectations and making sure children who need extra help actually receive it. I want to strengthen support for students with behavioural and learning needs so every child can learn at the same level as their peers. Safety is another priority for both staff and students. Teachers should not require protective gear to teach. I also want a board that is transparent with families and makes decisions in the open. Better budget management is essential so money is allocated where it is truly needed. Finally, I will prioritize safe, well maintained schools and long term planning to support the growth of our community. Geoff Horsman The WRDSB got my attention when, in 2022, it egregiously censored and publicly slandered one of its own teachers—and then similarly bullied a trustee who defended her! Shock and disbelief motivated my involvement at school councils and the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), which further revealed to me a WRDSB culture consistently aligned against free speech and open debate. Restoring these fundamental values is my first priority. Only then can we make informed decisions about issues like tech and AI dependence; the incompatibility of identity politics with timeless Western ideals of equality and freedom; and improving safety and strengthening child safeguarding. Clear metrics and transparency—the public shouldn’t have to file FOIs—must be followed by accountability. Finally, throwing up our hands at jurisdictional constraints doesn’t cut it when kids are suffering—the Board must advocate for our students over the interests of unions and the Ministry’s progressive ideologues. Kathleen Woodcock If elected, my priority will continue to be student achievement and well-being. As a champion of local democracy, I will continue to advocate for a fully funded public education system that supports the learning of all students. Chronic underfunding has negatively impacted the WRDSB in many areas, special education and support for student mental health for example. I bring 20+ years of experience and proven leadership skills to the role. I will continue to focus on students through strategic governance, policy development and data-driven decision making. https://www.kathleenwoodcock.ca/ Woolwich & Wellesley (One candidate to be elected) Jen Burkholder My priorities are clear: strong foundational learning, safe schools, responsible spending and accountability. I believe we need to focus on the basics, reading, writing, and mathematics. While ensuring the classrooms are safe and respectful for all students and staff. Students can not learn when they do not feel safe, likewise teachers can’t teach when they do not feel safe. I will advocate for honest, clear communication, and responsible decisions that put every student first. I believe we need to understand what is happening in our schools before making any decision. I will be present in our schools, listen to parents, students, and staff. I will bring their concerns forward. Families deserve to be heard, respected, and given answers. My commitment is: listen, ask questions, and seek accountability, in order to keep every student at the centre of every decision. Ashley Gilbert If elected as trustee, my priority will be to ensure that every student has a meaningful opportunity to succeed. This would look like building a strong foundation. with safe supportive classrooms, and ensuring that students with varied abilities, backgrounds and learning needs have access to the right resources. I believe that accountability matters. Families deserve transparency regarding how decisions are made, how money is spent, and whether our policies are making the necessary changes or not. Most importantly, I want to build a true and strong connection between the board and the community. Parents, students, teachers, and community members should all feel heard. and not only when there is a problem. Being a trustee means asking thoughtful questions, listening to different perspectives and keeping the students positive growth at the center of every decision. Carlene Hawley As an experienced community educator and CPA, I will put students first, support families and staff, aiming for academic excellence to ensure public dollars are managed responsibly. Seeking transparency, improved safety, measurable results and engagement with parents. 1. Financial accountability: Create a budget-to-outcomes dashboard showing what we spend and what metrics change, identify easy wins, direct resources for greatest impact. 2. Student success: Prioritize literacy, STEM, life skills and critical thinking. Champion an elementary peer mentoring program to support students in mathematics. 3. Safe classrooms: Review student-led evacuations and other safety concerns, IEP needs to EA & professional support allocations; identify patterns to improve learning. 4. Parent voice: Revise delegation policy, strengthen educator-parent partnerships, launch a regular e-newsletter to parents sharing board updates, metrics and challenges. 5. Educator support: 1st 100 days - visit Woolwich & Wellesley schools, listen to staff and advocate for practical resources that strengthen classrooms and student success.
