School Trustee Election Roundup (OCDSB edition)

Miss Vicky’s take on OCDSB School Trustee Races

It may not seem as important as the race for mayor or city council – at least, not to folks who don’t currently have kids in the public school system – but every municipal voter should take a close look at the races for school board trustee.

Why? 

School boards have a direct impact on the quality of education our kids receive. It’s a crucial time for public education in our province, as it has been woefully underfunded for decades, but especially by the Ford government, who seem intent on stripping the system to absurdly bare levels.  This has caused real tensions between many boards and the provincial government, resulting in the province replacing some elected boards (including Ottawa’s) with appointed supervisors. 

Ford’s government followed up on this action by passing legislation reducing the powers of elected school boards. Just in time for an election!

So the folks running in Ottawa’s English-speaking school district don’t know whether they will even sit – and will need to find a way to make the most of their new roles in order to provide oversight and transparency to families.

There’s a lot more to be said about the history of the past few years in this school board.  It’s been tumultuous, to say the least.  But that's for another post.

Another important note is that far-right, anti-inclusion and anti-trans forces have set their sights on school boards. The 2022 election saw several overtly anti-trans candidates running together.   The most vocal of these is running again.  Is he alone?

Who we elect to school board could have a massive impact on how the OCDSB navigates these challenging times.  Ultimately, what’s wrong with our education system is a broken funding model and too many years of cuts, combined with an increase in students with various complex learning needs that don’t necessarily thrive in the “Back to Basics” model.  

As I looked to determine who I’d support in Zone 4, I wanted someone that could stand up to this government, deeply committed to a strong, inclusive public education system, and an understanding of the kinds of challenges that students with different learning needs have to navigate.

Here is the outcome of my first stab at reviewing the candidates.

 Zone 1 (Wards 5,6 and 11)

• Alykhan Abdulla – no public campaign information.  His LinkedIn announcement says he is running because “I believe in good governance, respectful transparency and servant leadership. I will serve with integrity and respect.”
• Jon Flemming – no public campaign information, although has run previously, numerous times.  Anti-"gender ideology"
• John MacRae – Progressive, signed a set of “shared principles” with other candidates who support public education
• Imrana Waraich – no public campaign information

Zone 2 (Wards 4, 23)

• Paul Crawford – controversial former trustee from Durham Region.  LinkedIN profile provided to city is down.  Running with an axe to grind on a “free speech” platform.
• Julia Fortey – current trustee, appointed in 2024 when previously-elected trustee stepped down.

Zone 3 (Wards 3, 24)

• Brenda Abramson – retired public servant
• Kenneth (Kangwu) Xi – former educator and public servant.  Long experience volunteering as a parent in OCDSB.  Promises “ strong fiscal oversight to the school board table.”
• Daniel Pershick –  Parent and health care professional.  Running “to help families navigate the school system, restore accountable local representation, and keep every board decision focused on students”. Signed on to shared principles.

Zone 4 (Wards 7, 15)

• Benoit Massé – website appears almost entirely AI generated – stock photos, lots of verbiage that sounds OK but doesn’t really mean anything concrete – even in the “about” section.  Wild.
• Emily Quaile – parent, academic and community activist.  Signed on to shared principles. I know Emily and am confident she will be a responsive and proactive advocate for our schools and communities. She's Miss Vicky's Pick for Zone 4 (Kitchissippi and Bay).

Zone 5 (Wards 8, 9)

• Lara Bremner – career public servant and former diplomat.  A couple of red flags on her website about focusing on “core trustee issues” and wants to “Bring a balanced and practical approach to issues (not focused on single issues/special interests)”.  However, also says she supports diversity and inclusion and brings “progressive values”
• Suzanne Lyon – retired public servant.  Not much on her campaign facebook or LinkedIN.  Has served on the OCDSB’s Parent Involvement Committee. Also throws shade on previous trustees.
• Natasha Lynn Mott – mom, active school volunteer, very committed to ensuring that kids have what they need to learn, especially neurodivergent kids.  Signed on to shared principles

Zone 6 (Wards 12, 13)

• Chris Durrant – Lawyer and public servant. Very passionate about supporting students with learning disabilities, as he has had to navigate this process himself. Signed on to shared principles
• Jennifer Moroziuk – volunteer, parent and advocate.  Fought to keep Rideau High School open
• Scott Walker – couldn’t find campaign contact info.  Served on the Parent Involvement Committee
• Dean Rusland – couldn’t find campaign contact info. Although there is a Dean Rusland who makes positive comments on Mark Sutcliffe’s campaign videos on Facebook

Zone 7 (Wards 20, 22)

• Sasha Clayton – mom of six, community and social service worker, active volunteer. Pics with Mark Sutcliffe and George Darouze on her campaign Facebook Page. 
• Jennifer Jennekens – current trustee, running for re-election

Zone 8 (Wards 1, 19)

• Rick Bédard - A 25-year public servant, local business owner, and sports franchise operator, promises to “end boardroom dysfunction and restore fiscal accountability”
• Anthony Wong – former co-chair of the Ottawa Carleton Assembly of School Councils, member of OCDSB Special Education Advisory Committee.  Has been critical of provincially-appointed Board supervisor Plamandon.  Limited info online but his platform seems well thought out, even if his Facebook cover banner is AI slop.

Zone 9 (Wards 17, 18)

• Hilary Clauson – parent, school council volunteer, self-proclaimed “policy wonk and numbers geek”.   Priorities include ensuring schools are safe and inclusive and fostering “an education system that helps solve the greatest challenges of our time, notably the climate crisis and weakening civic engagement”.
• Scott Dutrisac – Tech worker.  Has not signed on to shared values with does say he supports the positions. Promises  to “strive for transparency, responsibility, and inclusion.”
• Sergio DeFranco – could not find campaign contact information.

Zone 10 (Ward 14)

• Shannon Boschy – ran in a different zone in the last school board election, on a virulent anti-trans, so-called “parental rights” platform.  Red Alert!
• Diana Mills – has served for some time on the Parent Involvement Committee.  Could not find campaign contact information.
• Keelin Pringnitz – Mom, public servant, advocate, running on a progressive platform in response to the Ontario government’s takeover of the OCDSB, and because students “deserve a strong public education system built on inclusion, collaboration, and community-led democratic decision-making”.

Zone 11 (Wards 10, 16)

• Jason Glover -  Dad, former School Council Chair, and member of the OCDSB Parent Involvement Committee.  Campaign focus is on “operational stability and transparent advocacy”
• Brendan Ray – has signed on to shared values, but I couldn’t find campaign info
• Alan Riddell – lawyer, grandfather, wants to place a greater emphasis on “a back to basics approach”

Zone 12 (Wards 2, 11)

• Cathy Varrette –  Parent, special education advocate and community organizer, signed on to shared principles. 
• Rick Whitley – could not find campaign information