How to Become a Catholic School Trustee

What are the qualifications to be a Catholic School Board Trustee?

To be eligible for election to a four-year term as a Catholic School Trustee, you must be:

  • A Roman Catholic
  • A Catholic school supporter
  • A resident within the jurisdiction of the district Catholic school board
  • A Canadian citizen
  • At least 18 years of age

What does a Trustee do?

Catholic School Trustees are accountable to Catholic school electors for:

  • Establishing the system’s mission and multi-year strategic plan
  • Supporting student achievement in the school community
  • Establishing and monitoring the annual budget
  • Developing policies to ensure the efficient operation of the board
  • Determining the type, size and location of schools
  • Hiring the Director of Education

Catholic School Board Trustees are locally elected representatives of the public, and they are the community’s advocates for publicly funded Catholic education. They are required to carry out their responsibilities in a manner that assists the board in fulfilling its duties under the Education Act.

A Trustee’s role is to maintain a focus on student achievement, well-being and equity, and to participate in making decisions that benefit the entire board district while representing the interests of their constituents. Trustees must also communicate the views and decisions of the board back to their constituents. 

The Durham Catholic District School Board is governed by eight (8) Trustees. While Trustees are elected by municipality, they work collectively in support of student achievement and well-being across the district.

Municipal Elections

Municipal and school board elections take place every four years. The next municipal and school board election will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026. 

Eight Trustees will be elected to the Durham Catholic District School Board in the 2026 municipal election, including:

  • Two (2) from the Town of Ajax
  • One (1) from the combined Townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge
  • Two (2) from the City of Oshawa
  • One (1) from the City of Pickering
  • Two (2) from the Town of Whitby

For information about elected municipal offices, please view the information for your municipality found in the links below:

Please note that the candidate nomination period runs from Friday, May 1, 2026 - Friday, August 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.  

The Importance of Accurate Catholic Voter Lists

The voice and vote of Catholic ratepayers is important to the future of our Catholic schools. In order to vote for Catholic Trustees, Catholic ratepayers must be registered as separate school supporters.

To make the process of verifying support easier for voters, the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) has created a School Support Designation Toolkit. Through MPAC, all Ontario residents can check to ensure that their information is accurately reflected on MPAC’s Preliminary List of Electors for the municipal and school board elections.

Visit mpac.ca/SchoolSupport to confirm information and to make any necessary updates and corrections. Only separate school supporters can vote for Catholic Trustees. 

Learn How to Become a Catholic School Board Trustee

Visit the Ontario Municipal and School Board Elections and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association websites to learn how to become a Catholic School Board Trustee.

The following information provides general expectations regarding the role of a Catholic School Board Trustee.

Regular Board meetings are held once per month, on Monday evenings, in the Boardroom of the Catholic Education Centre, 650 Rossland Road West, Oshawa.

Special Board meetings are held at the call of the Chair or at the written request of four trustees or at any time as determined by resolution of the Board.

Policy Review Committee meetings are held four times per year, on Monday evenings.

In addition to Regular Board meetings, Trustees may be involved in various Statutory Committees, Standing Committees, and Ad Hoc or other committees. 

Trustees can expect to spend an average of at least three nights a month at Board and committee meetings for most of the year. 

Trustees may be requested to attend special events throughout the year. These may include school blessings, graduations, system-wide Mass, award ceremonies, Catholic Education Week activities, seminars, and provincial Catholic trustee association meetings. 

Trustees may receive telephone calls or emails from their constituents. This is an important part of the trustee role and requires some time commitment. 

Trustees will be provided with an orientation session to acquaint them with the role and responsibilities of the Board. 

Honoraria for Board Members is established by the Board in accordance with the Education Act and its attendant Regulations.

For further information, view the Trustee Expenses and Entitlements Policy (PO217).

For additional information, view the following websites and resources: