Windsor's public board fills trustee vacancies amidst provincial scrutiny around the positions

At a time when the future of elected local school board trustees in Ontario is unclear — two new names have been added to the role within the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) during a Monday night meeting to fill recent vacancies.

Earlier this month Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra says he will make a final decision early in the new year on what changes to make to the role of trustees in the school system, but he is signalling he is inclined to largely eliminate it.

In mid-November, after several options were pitched, the GECDSB decided to go the way of filling the vacancies by appointment.

Chandrika Abhang has been elected to represent the Amherstburg and LaSalle area.

The opening came in October when longtime trustee Ron Le Clair stepped down “blaming the current "governance landscape for education."

Abhang says the critical role of a trustee is understanding and setting up strategic priorities for the system — and by also understanding the student population’s diversity.

She’s an automotive industry director of global strategy and partnerships – with an educational background in mechanical engineering. Abhang has a four-year-old child in the local public school system.

“As a parent with a young child in a GECDSB school in the Amherstburg/LaSalle area, I see firsthand the dedication of our educators and opportunities for continued growth in the programs,” she wrote in her application letter to the board. 

“Having navigated the education system as a newcomer myself, I understand the challenges families face when adapting to new environments, which strengthens my empathy and ability to represent diverse voices.”

Cheryl Lovell will now represent the Leamington and Pelee Island area. She was also given the nod Monday night.

Lovell takes over for Nancy Armtstrong who resigned in November. In Armstrong’s resignation letter, she cited reasons including a “recent review of deeply troubling information” from committee meetings related to a controversial Kingsville school naming process.

Lovell is a familiar name to the position and board having held the trustee’s role for 12 years — on top of her 33 years of teaching.

She says student well-being is critical and that her job’s main responsibility is to be well-involved in setting priorities and mission statements.

Lovell says safe schools and environments is also paramount for her.