What is a School Board Trustee?  

School board trustees are locally elected members of the public who serve as champions for public education in our community. As part of the board, a trustee helps fulfill the board’s responsibilities under Ontario’s Education Act. 

Trustees keep student achievement and well-being at the centre of every decision they make. They work to benefit the school board district, while also representing the interests and concerns of the families and communities who elected them. A key part of the role is two-way communication: trustees share the board’s decisions and priorities with their constituents, and they bring community perspectives back to the board table. 

What Does a Trustee Do? 

As elected representatives, Catholic School Trustees are accountable to Catholic school electors in the following areas: 

  • Setting the system’s mission and multi-year strategic plan  
  • Supporting student achievement across the school community  
  • Establishing and monitoring the annual budget  
  • Developing policies that ensure the board operates efficiently  
  • Determining the type, size, and location of schools  
  • Hiring the Chief Executive Officer 

Who Can Run to Become a Catholic School Board Trustee? 

To be eligible for election to a four-year term as a Catholic School Trustee, you must be: 

  • A Roman Catholic 
  • A Catholic school supporter 
  • A resident within the jurisdiction of the district Catholic school board 
  • A Canadian citizen 
  • At least 18 years of age 

Municipal Elections 

Municipal and school board elections take place every four years. The next municipal and school board election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026.  

Nine Trustees will be elected to the Waterloo Catholic District School Board in the 2026 municipal election, including: 

  • Three from Cambridge / North Dumfries 
  • Four from Kitchener / Wilmot 
  • Two from Waterloo / Wellesley / Woolwich 

For information about elected municipal offices, please view the information for your municipality found in the links below: 

Trustee Candidate Nomination 

Please note that the candidate nomination period runs from Friday, May 1, 2026 – Friday, August 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.   

Learn More about Catholic School Trustees 

Visit the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association website to learn more about becoming a Catholic School Board Trustee.