3009 – Parental Leave – Trustees
- Legal References
- Employment Standards Act
- Related References
- Education Act 228 (2.1)
- Board Policy 3000 – Trustee Honoraria
- Effective Date
- November 19, 2018
- Revisions
- May 13, 2026
- Reviewed
- November 15, 2021
1. Purpose
1.1 Trustees of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) are entitled to take a leave of absence for twenty (20) consecutive weeks or less, if the absence is the result of a Trustee’s pregnancy, the birth of the Trustee’s child or the adoption of a child by the Trustee. A pregnancy or parental leave is considered a right under the Education Act, and does not require approval by the Board of Trustees to excuse the absence.
2. Application
2.1 The Trustee shall provide the Chair and Director of Education with written notice of an absence of 20 consecutive weeks or less as a result of the Trustee’s pregnancy, the birth of the Trustee’s child or the adoption of a child by the Trustee.
2.2 The Trustee may continue to receive all board and committee meeting reports, notices and minutes if they so choose.
2.3 When notice is provided, the following plans shall be discussed with the Board Chairperson and the result brought forward to the Board for information:
2.3.1 Whether the Trustee intends to participate in Board or Committee meetings;
2.3.2 Which duties, if any, will continue to be performed by the Trustee during their leave;
2.3.3 How the work of any Committee commitments will be covered;
2.3.4 How parent and constituent communication will be handled during the Trustee leave.
2.4 The Chair or Vice-Chair of the Board requesting a pregnancy or parental leave may request that the Board of Trustees conduct an election to appoint an interim Chair or Vice-Chair for the duration of their pregnancy or parental leave.
2.5 The leave cannot extend beyond the Trustee’s term in office, unless they are re-elected.
2.6 A Trustee on pregnancy or parental leave will continue to receive their honorarium. The honoraria for the position of Board Chair or Vice-Chair will only be paid to the Trustee assuming the current role of Board Chair or Vice Chair.
