A Barrie school board trustee is currently holding her post while living mostly in Nova Scotia, and some of her fellow trustees have raised questions about it.
At the Simcoe County District School Board’s (SCDSB) regular meeting on Oct. 23, Oro Medonte/Springwater trustee Liz Grummett asked about the rules around electronic participation for trustees.
“Recently, it was shared that a trustee is currently living out-of-province,” said Grummett. “How does this work with our role of being a trustee in the Education Act? Is it something that should be disclosed?”
Although she didn’t name the trustee during the remarks or resulting discussion, Barrie trustee Lisa-Marie Wilson was the only trustee participating electronically at the meeting.
“It’s a bit of a witch-hunt,” said Wilson in an interview following the meeting. “I’m the only Black trustee. There are certain things I’m vocal about when it comes to equity and inclusion and the safety of schools and our students.”
“I see this as a political move. Anyone could have asked me or talked to me first,” she said.
Wilson said she is still a permanent Barrie resident. As an employee of the Ontario provincial government, she was offered an opportunity for a one-year work assignment in Nova Scotia, and decided to make the temporary move in June.
The placement lasts until June 2025.
“I took a secondment to come to Halifax. Nothing has changed. I come back home every month, usually on weekends,” Wilson explained. “This is my career.”
“A trustee has an important role, but it’s not a job. It’s $14,000 a year. I have to work,” she said.
Through her trustee role, Wilson represents Wards 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Barrie, which includes students and families of Algonquin Ridge Elementary School, Allandale Heights Public School, Assikinack Public School, Hewitt's Creek Public School, Holly Meadows Elementary School, Hyde Park Public School, Mapleview Heights Elementary School, Trillium Woods Elementary School, Warnica Public School, W.C. Little Elementary School, Willow Landing Elementary School, Bear Creek Secondary School, Innisdale Secondary School, Maple Ridge Secondary School and Simcoe Shores Secondary School’s south Barrie campus.
As a cancer survivor, she returns monthly for appointments in Barrie. She has also attended the board offices when home, met with constituents remotely, and is always participating remotely in board meetings.
“I can’t be (at board meetings) in-person right now because it’s on Wednesdays. I told the chair. I was very open and transparent,” she said. “My duties don’t require me to be physically (there). Most of what we do is via email or phone.”
“It’s disappointing that these sorts of tactics are happening, but I can’t control other people’s actions or behaviours,” said Wilson.
During a conversation at the board’s Oct. 23 meeting, director of education John Dance clarified that the Education Act references the issue of electronic participation, but in broad terms.
Under section 219(1) of the Education Act, a person is qualified to be elected as a member of a district school board or school authority if the person is qualified to vote for members of that district school board or that school authority and is resident in its area of jurisdiction.
“The imprecise nature of this is it doesn’t speak to what happens during term. That’s something we have to explore further,” said Dance. “When you begin, and you’re a resident, you qualify. Does that qualification lapse if you move? There’s no clear description as far as how that’s being determined.”
Chair and Orillia/Severn/Ramara trustee Jodi Lloyd highlighted that changes are coming to the Education Act expected to go into effect later in 2025 that will require all trustees participate in-person at regular board meetings, unless permission is asked for and granted by the chair in writing ahead of the meeting under specific circumstances.
“It is the expectation of the ministry of education that trustees attend in-person for meetings. It’s something (former) Minister (of Education Stephen) Lecce was very adamant about,” said Lloyd. “It has caused a lot of discussion around the province on these changes and expectations.”
Under the SCDSB’s electronic participation policy, a member of the board shall be physically present in the meeting room for at least three regular meetings of the board for any 12-month period beginning Nov. 15.
Lloyd said work is underway to amend all of the board’s policies to be in alignment with the new Education Act changes.
Meanwhile, Wilson said she intends to continue serving as a Barrie trustee at the board from afar.
“There’s a lot going on in this board and it’s important my voice is heard for all my constituents,” she said. “I’m not going to let this behaviour prevent me from doing what I need to do.”
