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Student Election

TDSB Student Elections 2023-24

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is now accepting applications for Student Senate and Student Trustee positions for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Student Senate and Student Trustees represent the voice of approximately 236,000 students in the Toronto District School Board. They work closely together to empower and promote student voice and engagement across the district. 

Key Dates

  • February 13, 2023 – Application Opens – Apply now
  • February 16, 2023 – Information Session – Register here
  • February 21, 2023 – Application Deadline 
  • April 24 to 28, 2023 – Campaigning Period
  • April 27 to 28, 2023 – Voting Period

Below you will find more information about the application and election process.

How to Apply

Students in Grades 6 to 11, who are interested in applying for a position on the Student Senate or as a Student Trustee, are invited to attend an online Information Session on Thursday, February 16 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the different positions, the mandate of Student Senate, and election process. 

Interested students are asked to apply online by Tuesday, February 21, 2023. This submission includes an outline of the applicant’s leadership skills and intent and two references from a Principal, Vice Principal, or teacher. Applicants are evaluated on their responses and references based on their ability to demonstrate with specific examples, the skills and qualities they bring to the role of Student Trustee related to student leadership, voice and advocacy.

The positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Communications Officer are open to all Grades 9 to 11 students. 

The Learning Centre Co-Chairs and the Learning Centre Secretary/Treasurer positions are open to all Grades 6 to 11 students.

The positions of Student Trustee are open to all Grade 10 and 11 students. 

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to prepare a 30-second campaign video, which will be shared on our website to promote their candidacy and help students make informed decisions on election days, April 27 and 28, 2023. Campaign videos will be shared on Monday, April 24, 2023, and will remain on the website until the end of the election period, Friday, April 28, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.

Roles and Responsibilities

Student Trustees

  • Sit at Board and Public Standing Committee meetings
  • Participate in discussions on all matters except when matters under consideration include the disclosure of intimate, personal or financial information in respect of a member of the Board or committee, an employee or prospective employee of the Board, or a pupil or his or her parent or guardian
  • Present the students' voice at the public session of the Board and Standing Committee meetings
  • Be invited to all official Board functions
  • Uphold and promote the Board's mission and values in the performance of duties
  • Attend all TDSB Student Senate meetings
  • Inform Student Senate of policies (which affect students) brought to Board for consideration to assist them in the preparation of the Student Senate meetings
  • Have a regular role on the Student Senate agenda to report and seek input

President

  • Acts as the primary spokesperson for the Student Senate
  • Sets meeting dates and agendas in consultation with Vice-President and Staff Advisors
  • Chairs all Student Senate meetings
  • Works closely with Vice-President and Staff Advisors to plan and organize retreats, conferences and initiatives
  • Supports the implementation of all Student Senate initiatives
  • Helps facilitate communication among all members of the Student Senate
  • Attends all Student Senate meetings, committees meetings, and other events

Vice-President

  • Performs the duties of the President when the President is not available
  • Performs specific duties as assigned by the President
  • Sets meeting dates and agendas in consultation with President and Staff Advisors
  • Works closely with President and Staff Advisors to plan and organize retreats, conferences and initiatives
  • Supports the implementation of all Student Senate initiatives
  • Helps facilitate communication among all members of the Student Senate
  • Attends all Student Senate meetings, committees meetings, and other events

Secretary/Treasurer

  • Takes minutes and attendance at all Student Senate meetings
  • Produces and distributes the minutes of all Student Senate meetings in a timely fashion
  • Keeps accounts of money spent as well as requests for meetings and retreats, conferences and initiatives
  • Commits time to ensure the success of Student Senate initiatives
  • Attends all Student Senate meetings, committees meetings, and other events

Communications Officer

  • Works closely with President and Vice-President and Staff Advisors to promote Student Senate including all its initiatives
  • Creates promotional materials for Student Senate and Student Senate initiatives
  • Assists President/Vice- President and Staff Advisors with drafting official Student Senate communications
  • Maintains Student Senate email account and Social Media accounts in line with all TDSB Policies and Procedures, e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
  • Attends all Student Senate meetings, committees, and the other events

Learning Centre Co-Chair 

  • Works with the other Learning Centre Co-Chair, Learning Centre Secretary/Treasurer and their Staff Advisor(s) to organize and promote their Learning Centre meetings
  • Co-chairs all Learning Centre meetings
  • Connects with the President/Vice President regarding questions/topics to be discussed at Learning Centre meetings and brought forward to the Student Senate meetings.
  • Commits time to ensure the success of Student Senate initiatives
  • Attends all Student Senate Meetings, their Learning Centre Meetings and other events

Learning Centre Secretary/Treasurer

  • Is responsible for taking minutes and attendance at all Learning Centre meetings
  • Connects with Staff Advisor(s) for any expenditures needed for the Learning Centre meeting and ensure receipts are photographed and sent to the Student Senate Secretary/Treasurer for documentation
  • Commits time to ensure the success of Student Senate initiatives
  • Attends all Student Senate Meetings, their Learning Centre Meetings and other events

Election Results

All candidates, both successful and unsuccessful, will receive an email notifying them of their results. 

Please note: 

  • TDSB Indigenous Student Trustee is selected by the Elders’ Council
  • (2) Alternative School Representatives are selected by their internal process

The Toronto District School Board is committed to providing an equitable experience for all Student Senate and Student Trustee candidates. Should you have a concern related to your ability to participate in the Student Trustee Elections due to access to technology, please contact Alison MacLachlan at Alison.Maclachlan@tdsb.on.ca or Nick Rowe at Nick.Rowe@tdsb.on.ca.