Citizen Engagement
Your Opinions Count
The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) is committed to open dialogue with the members of its communities. Your views on policy issues and Board governance are welcomed and encouraged. Feedback helps to ensure that decisions made by the Board accurately reflect the needs and concerns of the communities it serves. All members of the Board's community are welcome to attend and observe public Board, Advisory and Board Committee meetings. Public electronic webinar instructions and connection information are available on each public agenda.
Further information regarding the Board's responsibilities can be found in the Education Act, the Board's Bylaws and Special Rules of Order and Board Policy and Procedure #225.0, Governance.
Input from parents, students and staff members helps to ensure the Board’s actions and decisions accurately reflect the needs and concerns of the communities it serves.
How Can We Help You?
Our success as a public learning organization grows from meaningful and functional partnerships among members of the community, the schools and the Board. The Board is committed to increasing confidence in public education through accountability and transparency. Many policies, procedures and processes have been developed to support students, parents and the community.
Addressing the Board of Trustees by Delegation
Here are the Board's Bylaws and Special Rules of Order which outlines the full delegation process.
Delegation requests
XI.I Delegation Eligibility:
- delegations shall be restricted to residents of York Region;
- delegations shall not be made by individuals or organizations who wish to promote a product, service, or other commercial endeavour;
- delegations shall not be made regarding personnel, collective agreements, or labour matters; matters specific to an individual student; matters specific to an individual employee; matters subject to legal proceedings or investigation; or other matters that could not be heard in a public meeting; and
- a delegate shall not make more than one delegation on the same subject matter within 12 months, unless the subject matter has materially changed.
XI.I.1 Routine Channels:
- delegations shall not be the first resort for members of the public to address concerns; and
- members of the public shall pursue routine channels before making a delegation.
XI.II Delegation Request Form:
- any prospective delegate shall complete a delegation request form;
- all materials and matters to be presented during the delegation shall be submitted when the delegation request form is submitted;
- if the form is incomplete, the CEO or their designee shall return the request to the prospective delegate;
- prior to forwarding the delegation request form to the Governance Committee for action, the CEO or their designee shall ensure that the prospective delegate is eligible in accordance with Special Rule XI.I and XI.I.1; and
- if the prospective delegate is ineligible, the form shall be returned to the prospective delegate.
XI.III Governance Committee Approval:
- the Governance Committee shall review the complete request form and either schedule the delegation for the next Governance Committee meeting or refer the delegation to the CEO for follow-up.
XI.IV Timelines:
- complete delegation requests shall be received at least two weeks prior to the Governance Committee meeting to be considered at that meeting.
After your delegation request has been submitted:
Trustee Services will contact individuals in response to the receipt of the Delegation Request Form.
A written record of proceedings is taken at all public session Board and Committee meetings and these records are posted on the Board's website for public access. The delegation's name, presentation, written submission and related discussion form part of the Board's official public meeting record. In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, personal contact information provided on the Delegation Request Form will not be part of the public record.