The candidate expectations ensure that the Student Trustee election process is fair, respectful, and transparent.

The WRDSB requires Student Trustee candidates to uphold the integrity of the election, represent students responsibly, and demonstrate leadership throughout their campaigns.

All candidates are expected to follow the principles outlined in the following WRDSB policies:

Definitions

Bullying: behaviour which causes harm, fear or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or creates a negative environment at a school for another individual.

Respect: regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.

Use of Social Media

It is important to remember that as a Student Trustee candidate, you represent not just yourself but also your fellow students. While social media use for campaigning is permitted, candidates are expected to:

  • Post only respectful and appropriate content.
  • Avoid offensive, misleading, or harmful messages.
  • Remember that personal opinions expressed online do not reflect the views of all WRDSB students.
  • Practice responsible digital citizenship, recognizing that everything put online is public and leaves a digital footprint.
Collecting Information

Student Trustee candidates are not permitted to collect student information for campaign purposes, including through forms, contests, sponsored advertisements, influencer marketing or other means.

Campaign Platforms

Candidates are strongly encouraged to present realistic and achievable platforms that reflect student needs.

School Visits for the Purposes of Campaigning

Student Trustee candidates are not permitted to attend school sites other than their home school for any purpose related to the Student Trustee election or their campaign.

Reporting Concerns

Reporting instances of bullying to an adult is socially responsible and encourages a positive school climate. Students are encouraged to report instances of bullying in a timely manner, not only for themselves but also on behalf of bullies, victims, or bystanders.

  • If you are bullied by a candidate, or witness misconduct by a candidate, ask a teacher, guidance counsellor, coach, principal, vice-principal or any other trusted adult in the school for help.
  • You can also report the incident via the anonymous reporting tool

Students are expected to participate in the Student Trustee Election process in a manner that complies with the Safe Schools, Code of Conduct and Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policies, as well as other relevant legislative and board policies and procedures.

Our Commitment to Equity

The WRDSB is committed to equity in all student leadership roles. We are committed to fair and equitable practices that allow us to have student leaders who reflect the diversity of the community we serve, who will foster the success and well-being of our student body, and who demonstrate a commitment to equity and inclusion throughout the board.

We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
  • members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
  • persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
  • persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions