how to get your issues addressed

ESCALATING STUDENT & SCHOOL-RELATED MATTERS 

TCDSB notes that it's "committed to providing a respectful and safe environment for all stakeholders. The TCDSB is focused on working towards acceptable solutions that are consistent with relevant Board policies."

The escalation process for issues or concerns - or simply getting answers to  questions - related to a student, staff, programming or school matter (including with the CSPC) is:

1. classroom teacher
2. principal
3. local school superintendent (contact details on school website page)
4. Your locally-elected trustee
5. Associate Director of Academic Affairs (student, staff or programming issues) OR  Associate Director Corporate Services (school building,playground issues)
6. Director of Education

If you're unable to get the answers or help you need, then perhaps bringing the matter to the attention of the Board of Trustees for action, is your best available option. You may delegate at a private or public meeting, depending on the nature of the matter. More information to delegate at a Board meeting 

Relevant board policy includes:

• Community Engagement
• Confl­ict Resolution
• Conflict Resolution Guidelines
• Complaint Against a Staff Person
• Guidelines for Trustees, Parents and Staff in Addressing School-Related Concerns

GETTING HELP WITH ISSUES RELATED TO YOUR TRUSTEE

Here is the official TCDSB Procedure for a parent, student or staff member to File a Complaint against a Trustee: the guide indicates to:

1. Contact the trustee directly

2. Keep a written record of the issues - dates, times, places, as applicable. Evidence as is available.

3. If you're not satisfied with the response by the trustee, then the TCDSB has an independent Integrity Commissioner to look at matters related to the conduct of trustees.  As the Director of Education is an employee of the Board of Trustees, this is your best option for getting help if the matter involves a trustee. Students and parents may contact the Integrity Commissioner directly to raise an issue related to the Trustee Code of Conduct.  

While not in the 'official' guide, I would also suggest that the following can be done:

1. Invite the trustee to a parent council or student leadership meeting and ask them your questions in a publicly accountable forum.

2.  Delegate at a board or committee meeting and bring your matter to the attention of the board. The trustee Code of Conduct makes clear that " Trustees shall serve the public and their constituents in a conscientious and diligent manner." So, if they aren't carrying out the duties above, then they are not acting in accordance to the Code of Conduct.

The Trustee Code of Conduct policy includes the following:
1. Trustees shall serve the public and their constituents in a conscientious and diligent manner.

2. Trustees shall be committed to performing their functions with integrity, impartiality and transparency.
3. Trustees shall not participate in the decision-making processes associated with their office when prohibited to do so by the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

4, Conduct at the Board and Committee Meetings:i. Trustees shall conduct themselves at the Board and committee meetings with decorum  

i. Trustees shall endeavour to conduct and convey the Board’s business and all their duties in an open and transparent manner,  and in so doing, allow the public to view the process and rationale which was used to reach decisions and the reasons for taking certain actions. 

ii. Trustees shall make every effort to participate diligently in the activities of the committees, agencies, boards, commissions and advisory committees to which they are appointed by the Board or by virtue of being an elected official. 

iii. The Ontario Human Rights Code applies in addition to the Board’s Harassment and Discrimination Policy H.M.14 

5. No Trustee shall threaten or undertake any active reprisal against a person initiating an inquiry or complaint under the Trustee Code of Conduct, or against a person who provides information to the Integrity Commissioner in any Investigation.

6. The Trustee Code of Conduct applies to a Student Trustee elected by students.  

CONTACTING THE INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER::

Aird & Berlis LLP  Suite 1800, 181 Bay Street   Toronto, ON M5J 2T9
For administrative and advisement matters, please contact John Mascarin. 
For Trustee Code of Conduct complaints, please contact Meghan Cowan​.