Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is pleased to share the final report for the Strategic Plan Community Consultations.

In Spring 2025, WRDSB began the process to engage in community consultation to ensure the Multi-Year Strategic Plan that was developed in 2022 was still meeting the needs of WRDSB students, staff and community. The aim was to gather feedback from various stakeholders about the Strategic Plan in an effort to support the WRDSB in determining how we can continue to improve student achievement, well-being and engagement.

What We Learned

The public engagement included 1,949 survey responses, four community consultation sessions (three in-person and one virtual), 108 audio/video response submissions and seven focus groups. In total, 2,231 individuals provided input throughout the Strategic Plan Community Consultations.

Generally, the feedback showed that participants supported the intent of the WRDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan, but saw a need for:

  • Clear, specific and accessible language
  • Prioritization
  • Accountability
  • Public reporting of implementation and measurement of outcomes

The Learner Profile was seen as potentially valuable, but not as part of the Strategic Plan.

Read the full Strategic Plan Community Consultations final report.

Next Steps

The WRDSB is committed to building public confidence in public education, accountability and transparency. At the April 27, 2026 Board Meeting, WRDSB Trustees approved a motion to develop a new Multi-Year Strategic Plan during the 2026-2027 school year and the WRDSB Multi-Year Strategic Planning process will be informed by the recommendations and information shared in the Engagement Summary and Recommendations report by Overlap Associates Inc.

Strategic Plan Community Consultations

The WRDSB Strategic Plan was developed in March 2022 and was developed using information and feedback provided by students, families, community members and staff.

The Strategic Plan includes six Strategic Directions:

  1. Centring students
  2. Collaboration and compassion for transformation
  3. Equitable opportunities and outcomes
  4. Increase student learning through engagement
  5. Strengthen connections through family and community engagement
  6. Support for student and staff well-being

At the March 24, 2025 Board Meeting, WRDSB Board of Trustees approved the following Motion:

That the Waterloo Region District School Board consult with the broader community to get input regarding the educational needs of WRDSB Students; and

That we use multiple forms of communication to connect with as many members in our larger community as possible:

That we reach out to all students, families, parents, legal guardians and caregivers using a variety of engagements such as town hall meetings, virtual and asynchronous methods

That we reach out to all staff in every school and at the Education Centre

That we reach out to the many community organizations who work both directly and indirectly with the WRDSB

That staff lead the consultation process with Trustee involvement.

That this process begins in the Spring of 2025.

That a report that includes statistical information on the feedback received from the consultation be brought to the Board in early 2026.

Launching a Strategic Plan Community Consultation

Following the Board of Trustees Motion, an Ad Hoc Steering Committee of Trustees and staff began planning the consultation process to ensure the Multi-Year Strategic Plan, which was developed in 2022, continues to resonate and reflect the WRDSB’s beliefs and values in an effort to best support student achievement and well-being, in addition to providing feedback that will inform future decisions. The WRDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan should reflect student, staff, parent, family and community voice and by engaging in this process it aligns with the approved March 24, 2025 Board Motion to engage in community consultations.

The WRDSB wants to hear from students, staff, parents, families, caregivers and community as your feedback will support the WRDSB in determining how we can continue to improve our efforts to support the educational needs of students in the WRDSB. We welcome feedback from all members of our community and we are eager to hear from many perspectives.

The Ad Hoc Steering Committee will:

  • Determine scope of work
  • Determine consultation process and tools
  • Determine consolidation process
  • Provide updates at Board Meetings

Consultation Process

Led by Overlap Associates, in collaboration with WRDSB Trustees and staff, WRDSB engaged collaboratively in Strategic Plan Community Consultations. The consultation process took place from November 2025 to February 2026 and included:

Through the community consultation process, WRDSB committed to:

  • Keeping students at the centre of stakeholder consultations
  • Using language and processes that are accessible for all stakeholders
  • Providing multiple ways for stakeholders to engage and provide consultation
  • Honuoring the feedback that is received to inform next steps

Timelines

Phase 1: Planning:

  • May – June 2025

Phase 2: Implementation

  • July 2025 – February 2026

Phase 3: Consolidation

  • February – April 2026

Phase 4: Reporting

  • April 2026

Board Meeting Updates

Review the Board Meeting agendas and recordings.