Dear families,
Earlier today, Trustee Corrie McBain advised trustees of her intention to resign her position as Trustee for Richmond Hill Wards 1, 2 and 4, effective June 30, 2020. Trustee McBain has served her community capably since first being elected in 2014. She served as Chair of the Board in 2018 and 2019, a position to which she was elected by her peers on the Board, reflecting confidence in her strong leadership.
Students and families from across York Region have benefitted from her contributions to public education. While we will miss her voice at the Board table and in the various committees, we respect her decision and know Trustee McBain will continue to participate fully and represent her constituents well until June 30.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, the Board of Trustees will meet to formally receive Trustee McBain’s resignation. While I appreciate some may have questions about how the Board will choose to fill the vacancy in Richmond Hill Wards 1, 2 and 4, this decision may not be made on May 19. We appreciate Trustee McBain giving the Board and her community ample notice, which provides the Board some time to consider the vacancy replacement process, which is prescribed in the Education Act as follows:
When a vacancy occurs mid-term, the Education Act (Appendix B) provides two alternatives to the Board for filling the vacancy;
a) the remaining elected members shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy within 90 days after the office becomes vacant, if a majority of the elected members remain in office; or
b) a by-election shall be held to fill the vacancy, in the same manner as an election of the board, if a majority of the elected members do not remain in office.
Once the Board formally receives Trustee McBain’s resignation, we will take steps to inform the families in Richmond Hill Wards 1, 2 and 4 of her decision and the subsequent steps. I can assure families and community members that we will be transparent in this process and make decisions in their best interests moving forward.
As always, if families have questions about their children’s education, they can contact their child’s teacher, principal, superintendent or local Trustee, including Trustee McBain while she remains in the role.
Thank you for your understanding as we work through this process. I wish you and your families continued health and well-being.
Sincerely,
Juanita Nathan, Board Chair
If you wish to learn more about the options available to the Board of Trustees with regard to filling the vacancy, please review the report provided to the Board of Trustees on May 19, 2020. The Board of Trustees will consider options to fill the vacancy at a Special Public Board meeting on July 6, 2020. If you wish to provide feedback to the Board about how you believe the vacancy should be filled, please contact your local trustee directly.