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Board Policy #223.0 Indigenous Student Trustee‌

1. Policy Statement

The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) recognizes and supports the importance of the voice of Indigenous students throughout the Board. The Board recognizes and values the contribution that all students make in the learning process. The policy outlines processes for the Indigenous student trustee.

2. Responsibilities

2.1 The Board of Trustees and the Indigenous Trustee are responsible for:

1. reviewing the Indigenous Student Trustee policy in accordance with the approved policy review cycle;
2. understanding and communicating with members of the Indigenous Community about the Indigenous Student Trustee policy as required;
3. assigning the Indigenous Trustee to act as a mentor for the Indigenous student trustee during the term of office; and
4. ensuring that the Indigenous student trustee is aware that the term of office is one year, but that the Indigenous student trustee may choose to run for a second term.

2.2 The Indigenous Student Trustee is responsible for:

1. promoting leadership in York Region elementary and secondary schools in accordance with the Student Leadership and Student Voice policy;
2. providing an information report to the Board of Trustees at monthly Board meetings;
3. fulfilling responsibilities as outlined in the Education Act;
4. sharing information, perspectives and ideas from the diverse Indigenous student body made up of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students who attend York Region Schools;
5. attending meetings, as required, of the Indigenous Student Council (ISC) and the Indigenous Education Advisory Council (IEAC), and other Board committee meetings;
6. sharing information from trustees, staff and the Indigenous trustee with members of the Indigenous student community where appropriate;
7. advise on the process for the election of the Indigenous student trustee, before the last day of February annually using a process that ensures equity of access for all Indigenous students;
8. maintaining strictly confidential materials and related information discussed during Private Session of the Board or committee meetings; and
9. adhering to Board policy, procedure and related guidelines regarding the appropriate use of technology.

2.3 The Director of Education is responsible for:

1. implementing the Indigenous Student Trustee policy; and
2. overseeing all academic and other requirements for the YRDSB Secondary School Cooperative Education Credit Program for student trustees during their term of office in conjunction with the senior staff member assigned to support the student trustee.

3. Contact

Director’s Office

Trustee Services

Inclusive School and Community Services

4. History

Approved: 1996

Working Document: May 2026

Revised: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2022, March 2026

Final Approval: December 2022

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Board Procedure #223.1, Indigenous Student Trustee

1. Procedure Statement

This procedure outlines the process to assist the Indigenous student trustee as representative of the Indigenous student body working with the elected Board of Trustees. It defines reimbursement of miscellaneous, professional development and communication expenses incurred by the Indigenous student trustee in fulfillment of duties. It outlines provisions to facilitate Indigenous student trustee communications with the Indigenous student body, Board of Trustees, Board staff, other student trustees, and student trustee associations.

2. Application

The Indigenous student trustee must be in Grade 11 or 12 and hold all qualifications for the position as outlined in Ontario Regulation 7/07 Student Trustees for the duration of their term.

The term of office is one year starting August 1 in the year in which they are elected to July 31 the following year. The Indigenous student trustee may choose to run for a second term.

Vacancies will be filled in an election determined by the Board in consultation with the Indigenous student trustee and the York Region Indigenous Student Council (ISC).

2.1 Communication Expenses

Legitimate costs for equipment and related services used by student trustees to ensure they are accessible for the purpose of conducting Board and Indigenous student trustee business include, but are not limited to:

1. residential high-speed internet; and
2. one of the following cellular options,
   • a personal dedicated cellular phone and service plan; or
   • a Board-provisioned cellular phone and service plan.

The Indigenous student trustee may be reimbursed to a maximum of $100, one time during a one-year term to cover the cost of purchasing a cellular phone or other telecommunication device dedicated to trustee business.

Additional communication expenses incurred while performing Indigenous student trustee duties such as, but not limited to, initial set-up fees for home phone and/or internet and long-distance charges on a personal home phone or cellular phone may be eligible for reimbursement. The Indigenous student trustee will be required to submit documentation (including original receipts) regarding additional communication expenses, including related rationale for consideration and reimbursement where applicable, using a monthly expense form.

The Indigenous student trustee will not be reimbursed for the cost of conducting personal business (including long-distance charges) on any cellular phone or residential telephone line.

2.2 Miscellaneous Expenses

These may include, but are not limited to, mileage, public transportation and other reasonable and legitimate expenses incurred while attending educational community and school events, public forums, and other functions that are related to the role of an Indigenous student trustee and furthering the business of the Board in that capacity. When incurring eligible costs, the Indigenous student trustee should use the most appropriate, modest, economical and practical options available and understand that upgrades will not be reimbursed.

All student trustees are expected to select a travel route which is most efficient and economical and plan to use public transportation or personal vehicles to attend Board and Committee Meetings and community events. Board-provisioned taxi service or ride share services, may also be used, up to a maximum of $200.00 per month to attend meetings or events in their capacity as Indigenous student trustee. Prior approval will be required to exceed the $200.00 per month limit.

2.3 Professional Development Expenses (Maximum $2,123.00 per term)

These may include, but are not limited to, registration fees, food, accommodation, parking, and travel expenses incurred while attending Board-related professional development activities in their capacity as Indigenous student trustee. The Indigenous student trustee will be reimbursed a maximum of $2,125.00 for professional development expenses during their term.

2.4 Board-supported Ontario Student Trustees’ Association Conferences Participation Guidelines

Recognizing the important role that the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA) plays in public education in Ontario, the Indigenous student trustee’s out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred to participate in conferences as described below will be reimbursed by the YRDSB in accordance with Policy and Procedure #220.0, Trustee Services:

1. any Indigenous student trustee elected as a member of OSTA Executive Council shall attend meetings of the General Assembly to represent the Board;
2. the Indigenous student trustee-elect may attend the Annual General Meeting once prior to commencing their term of office;
3. the Indigenous student trustee may attend the Fall General Meeting (FGM) or the Annual General Meeting (AGM) one time during their term;
4. any Indigenous student trustee elected to a working group and/or Board Council of OSTA may attend the FGM and AGM the year in which they are Indigenous student trustee;
5. the costs associated with Indigenous student trustee participation in OSTA conferences outlined above will be covered by the Board and not charged against their personal professional learning allocation;
6. additional funds may be available for the Indigenous student trustee to attend OSTA conferences and the Finance and Property Standing Committee will consider all requests to ensure equitable allocation of funds among all trustees; and
7. if the Indigenous student trustee chooses to attend other OSTA-sponsored conferences that do not fall into the provisions outlined above, they are responsible for the costs using their professional learning allocation or personal resources.

3. Responsibilities

3.1 The Director of Education shall:

1. allocate staff and resources to support the Indigenous Student Trustee procedure;
2. review and approve all Indigenous student trustee expenses;
3. assign appropriate senior staff to support the work of the Indigenous student trustee for their term; and
4. provide the Ministry of Education with the name of the Indigenous student trustee elected, not later than 30 days after the date of the election. 

3.2 The Chief Financial officer shall:

1. ensure the Indigenous student trustee receives their honorarium as outlined in provincial regulation;
2. allocate funds to support the Indigenous student trustees’ technology, travel, meals, accommodations, communication and professional development needs associated with performing their duties during the term of office after approval by the Chief Financial Officer or Director of Education; and
3. provide an annual report to the Board regarding Indigenous student trustee expenses for professional development activities.

3.3 The Indigenous Student Trustee shall:

1. represent the interests of Indigenous students from the diverse groups of First Nations, Inuit and Métis students;
2. attend meetings of the ISC to hear concerns, needs and advice from Indigenous students;
3. learn and incorporate Indigenous styles of leadership;
4. chair the York Region Indigenous Student Council;
5. attend meetings of the Indigenous Education Advisory Council (IEAC);
6. attend York Region Presidents’ Council (YRPC) meetings when time permits or when a request is made for meaningful consultation by the Council;
7. share information from staff and the Board of Trustees with members of the Indigenous student community where appropriate;
8. advise on the process for the election of Indigenous student trustee, supported by the ISC and staff, except in circumstances where they choose to run for a second term;
9. represent students at the York Region District School Board (YRDSB);
10. work with the ISC, prepare for and attend the annual YRPC Leadership Conference;
11. adhere to prescribed limits for reimbursement of miscellaneous, transportation, professional development and communication expenses in accordance with all applicable Board policies, procedures, guidelines and legislation;
12. complete the Internet Expenses Reimbursement Request Form and Trustee Cellular Phone Expenses Reimbursement Request Form to certify the maximum amount of communication expenses that are incurred for Board-related business;
13. adhere to Canada Revenue Agency requirements regarding reimbursement for communication expenses;
14. ensure they are qualified for the duration of the term of office;
15. if desired, apply for and meet all academic and other requirements associated with the YRDSB Secondary School Cooperative Education Credit Program for Student Trustees;
16. have the opportunity to attend professional development and cultural opportunities to support their role subject to the approval process for conferences and workshops as outlined in Policy and Procedure #220.0, Trustee Services;
17. endeavor to keep all miscellaneous, professional development and communication expenses to a minimum but in no event to exceed the amounts permitted by Board policy;
18. submit, quarterly unless expenses exceed $200, all claims for miscellaneous and communications expenses including original itemized receipts in accordance with Board policy #221.0 Student Trustees and all other applicable policies, procedures, guidelines and legislation;
19. submit separate claims for reimbursement for professional development expenses including original itemized receipts in accordance with Board policy and procedure;
20. understand that professional development expenses will be reimbursed to a maximum of $2,125.00 per term;
21. complete and submit quarterly, a Student Trustee Monthly Taxi or Ride Share Report with itemized receipts, when required;
22. understand that claims for use of Board-provisioned taxi services or ride share services will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $200, per month;
23. adhere to all requirements regarding communication tools and professional development allocations, as outlined in the Student Trustee policy and procedure;
24. provide Trustee Services with contact information;
25. support the maintenance of the student trustee website, so that it includes information from ISC and the Indigenous student trustee in conjunction with Corporate Communications and Trustee Services;
26. ensure that official Indigenous student trustee letterhead is used solely for communication of Indigenous student trustee business;
27. if applicable, complete the requirement of the YRDSB Secondary Cooperative Education Credit Program for Student Trustees;
28. attend monthly Board meetings and understand a student trustee must resign from their position as student trustee if they fail to attend three (3) consecutive regular Board meetings without being authorized by a resolution of the Board (in the same manner as Board members) and recorded in the minutes of the meeting. A student trustee is considered present at a Board meeting if they participate by electronic means authorized by the Board;
29. provide an Indigenous Student Trustee Report at the regular monthly Board meeting as part of the Student Trustee Report;
30. attend meetings with the Director of Education when requested to do so;
31. host the Board’s Annual Celebrating Student Success evening; and
32. participate in Board events and cultural gatherings.

3.4 The senior staff member(s) supporting the Indigenous Student Trustee shall:

1. oversee all academic and other requirements for the YRDSB Secondary School Cooperative Education Credit Program for student trustees during their term of office when required; and
2. act in an advisory capacity to support the Indigenous student trustee during their term.

3.5 Corporate Communications shall:

1. provide support to Trustee Services and the Indigenous student trustee in maintaining the student trustee website; and
2. provide guidance to the Indigenous student trustee about the use of social media in their role.

3.6 Trustee Services shall:

1. provide an orientation program, administrative support and ongoing guidance to the Indigenous student trustee;
2. facilitate the Indigenous student trustee election process;
3. provide the Indigenous student trustee with resources to support their role;
4. in conjunction with Corporate Communications, support the review and development of content for the student trustee website as required;
5. arrange for and support the Indigenous student trustee's use of Board-owned information technology equipment during their term;
6. facilitate the sharing of the Indigenous student trustee’s monthly report to the Board with the broader community;
7. facilitate participation in professional development related to their role as the Indigenous student trustee;
8. schedule the annual report to the Board regarding Indigenous student trustee expenses for professional development activities;
9. ensure candidates for Indigenous student trustee are aware of the roles, responsibilities, and time-commitments of the position;
10. schedule regular meetings with the Indigenous student trustee, Vice-Chair of the Board and appropriate senior staff members;
11. manage requests for Indigenous student trustee input or assistance outside the regular Board Committee framework in conjunction with the Director of Education and Board Chair;
12. ensure that Indigenous student trustee’s access to information is governed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other relevant legislation; and
13. provide the Indigenous student trustee with a letter of participation upon completion of their term.

4. Definitions

4.1 The York Region Indigenous Student Council

The York Region Indigenous Student Council (ISC), chaired by the Indigenous student trustee, meets monthly. Its role is to listen to, and address questions and concerns raised by the student community during face-to-face interactions, forums, or electronic communications. The ISC is open to Indigenous students in Grades 6 and up. The ISC uses a model of direct election based on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee community political systems. It allows all members to have a say and be able to participate in discussion and decisions by consensus.

5. Contact

Director’s Office

Trustee Services

Inclusive School and Community Services

6. History

Drafted: January 2020

Working Document: February 2022, May 2026

Final Approval: December 2022

Revised: February 2026