Steps to Address Questions and Concerns
We believe that open, respectful, two-way communication builds relationships and enhances student success.Durham Catholic District School Board requests that questions or concerns be directed to the level closest to the issue. The following information is intended to help parents and guardians know who to contact with questions and/or concerns.
School-Based Questions or Concerns
Parents and guardians with questions or concerns about school-based matters should follow the steps below. In most situations, your child’s classroom educator is the first point of contact, followed by your school administration (Principal/Vice-Principal), then your Family of Schools Superintendent of Education, with any outstanding matters being directed to the Director of Education.
The first place to address classroom-related questions or concerns is your classroom educator. Parents and guardians are encouraged to respectfully review the question or concern with the staff member directly involved, such as your child's classroom teacher or early childhood educator.
They can help you with:
- Questions about the classroom
- Any questions related to your child
- Classroom rules and consequences
- Curriculum and programs
- Homework and assignments
If the question/concern is not resolved with the classroom educator, you would like more information, or the matter is beyond the classroom, talk to your school principal or vice-principal. They can help with areas such as:
- Budget and fundraising
- Catholic School Council
- Concerns about your child's school
- Ministry of Education - curriculum and directives
- School programs and initiatives
- Staff concerns
- Student discipline
- Student registration/classroom placement
- Student safety and behaviour
- Student schedules
- Transportation
If the question or concern is not resolved at the school level, you may request that the matter be referred to the Family of Schools Superintendent or other member of Senior Administration, including the Human Rights & Equity Advisor.
Find your Family of Schools Superintendent
If the question or concern is not resolved at the senior administration level, the individual may request that the matter be referred to the Director of Education. As the board's senior official, on operational matters the decision/response of the Director of Education will be final.
We endeavour to acknowledge questions, inquiries and/or concerns within two business days.
Board Questions or Concerns
Questions or concerns raised by members of the public relating to Board matters should be directed to the appropriate Board department.View our Board Department Directory
Role of the Trustees
In Durham Catholic there are eight elected Trustees who form the Board. The Board of Trustees is responsible through the Director of Education, for holding all of our schools accountable for:
- improving student achievement and well-being;
- providing an equitable and inclusive environment; and
- enhancing public confidence in publicly funded Catholic education.
Trustees are responsible for board policies and approving the budget.
Members of the community may contact individual Trustees for policy-related matters at any time. For all other matters, please follow the process outlined above.
- If contacted for operational matters, Trustees may facilitate the communication process between the individual and the appropriate staff by referring the question/concern to the Director of Education (please see process outlined above).
- Trustees may direct the parent/guardian/caregiver to the process which should be followed in resolving any concerns/complaints but shall not act as a representative of the individual.
- On matters of governance (i.e., policy), where appropriate, individual Trustees will bring concerns/complaints from the community to the attention of the whole Board.
- Individuals who wish to submit a request for consideration to delegate on an issue related to a Board agenda item may refer to the Public Delegations Policy and Procedure (PO219/AP219-1).