3008 – Use of Board Resources During the Election Campaign

Legal References:
Municipal Elections Act
Education Act
Related References:
Board Policy G100 – Governance Policy – Foundations
Board Policy G201 – Trustee Code of Conduct
Board policy 2009 – Board Advocacy
Board Policy 3010 – Political Candidate Visits During Federal Provincial & Municipal Elections
Effective Date:
April 30, 2018
Revisions:
May 25, 2018, February 8, 2021, May 13, 2026
Reviewed:
April 11, 2022

1. Purpose

1.1 To establish rules and procedures for the use of school board resources by trustees and candidates during the Municipal and School Board Election campaign period. Nothing in this policy prevents current elected trustees from performing their role and duties during their term of office. It also provides guidelines for activities involving trustees and candidates during the campaign.

1.2 Trustees play an important role as they are the only publicly elected official with the direct responsibility for the education of our children. The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) actively promotes and supports the role of the local democratically elected trustee.

2. Definition

2.1 School Board resources include board issued or owned resources such as, but not limited to: board or school social media accounts, cellphone, computer, email, newsletter, staff time, tablet, telephone, website, wireless internet.

3. Application

3.1 Trustees will not use their Board office or school board-issued resources for any campaign-related purposes. This includes displaying election-related materials in Board offices, board meetings, board events or school-related events.

3.2 Trustees will not distribute or use the WRDSB logo or WRDSB telephone number or other contact information, including displaying any WRDSB branding in any campaign-related material.

3.3 Trustees must ensure that all campaign-related material is funded by the trustee in their capacity as a candidate.

3.4 Trustees will not use the WRDSB’s email system to distribute election-related electronic messages and will not use the WRDSB’s voicemail system to record election-related messages.

3.5 Trustee websites and newsletters that are funded by the WRDSB, are not to include campaign-related material.

3.6 Trustees will use their personal information technology resources to create and use social media accounts created for campaign purposes. These are to be separate and distinct from any accounts used by the candidate in their position as a trustee.

3.7 Trustees will not use school board resources to distribute any election related materials (print, electronic or other method) to students, parents/guardians and/or caregivers.

3.8 Trustees will not use the services of WRDSB staff to assist or advise in the preparation, distribution or communication of any election-related material.

3.9 School Visits – by Trustees

Trustees who are seeking re-election may continue to perform their duties which may include their continued participation in local events held in schools while they serve their term of office. Trustees should not participate in activities at school events that could reasonably be perceived as campaigning.

3.10 School Visits – by Candidates

Visits by candidates, for the purposes of campaigning, are not permitted.

3.11 All Candidates Meetings are encouraged and may occur on school property. All Candidates Meetings must follow the requirements outlined in Board Policy 3010.

3.12 School-Related Events

Candidates are not permitted to campaign at school-related events intended for the students and caregivers/families/parents of that school. Current trustees may continue to attend and participate in school-related activities but shall not campaign or conduct themselves in any way that may reasonably be perceived as campaigning.

3.13 Campaign Involvement – Student

Students are encouraged to participate in curriculum-based activities and democratic awareness programs such as Student Vote. Secondary students may choose to earn their Community Involvement Hours by participating in an election campaign. Any campaign or election activities must be done outside of school hours and not on school property.

3008 – Use of Board Resources During the Election Campaign