Nominee Information

Dear Parent/Caregiver Representative Nominee,

Thank you for interest in joining the York Mills CI School Council. Below are important details about the election process and your responsibilities as a nominee.

1. Commitment to Responsibilities:

As a Parent/Caregiver Representative, you are expected to attend all school council meetings and actively contribute to discussions and decision-making. Your commitment to regular attendance is crucial, as the council needs a majority of voting members present in order to vote on important school matters. If the majority of voting members are not in attendance at any meeting, council will be unable to vote.

Please review the School Council By-laws, responsibilities of voting representatives (below), and the planned dates for this year's meetings: 

• • • Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 6:30 to 8 PM. In-Person Election

    • Tuesday October 29 from 6:30 to 8 PM. In-Person

    • Tuesday December 3 from 6:30 to 8 PM. Virtual/Online

    • Monday February 10 from 6:30 to 8 PM. Virtual/Online

    • Thursday April 24, 2025 from 6:30 to 8 PM. In-Person

    • Wednesday May 21 from 6:30 to 8 PM. In-Person

If for any reason you are not able to commit to attending meetings regularly or fulfilling the duties of a voting member and/or you no longer wish to be a candidate, kindly inform the school office by emailing YorkMills@tdsb.on.ca before Wednesday, September 25 at 12 PM. 

Please note: School council meetings and events are open to everyone! All YMCI parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend school meetings and volunteer for activities, even if they are not serving as a voting member. 

2. Election Details:

The election will take place in person at York Mills CI in Titan Hall on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 6:30 PM. Doors will open at 5:45 PM for refreshments and an opportunity to meet other parents. The meeting is scheduled to end at 8 PM.

• Location: Please use the driveway on the east side of the school. The entrance is on the east side of the building at the north end of the student parking lot.  The entrance door is beside the large bins, and near the field.

• Candidate Introductions: If there are more than 15 candidates, each nominee will be given up to one and a half minutes to introduce themself before the vote.

• If you are unable to attend the election, please submit a written statement introducing yourself (under 250 words) to YorkMills@tdsb.on.ca by Wednesday, September 25 at 12 PM. Use the Subject Line: School Council Election. This will be read during the election before voting. 

3. Executive Council Nominations:

Immediately following the election for Parent/Caregiver Representatives, there will be an election for the Executive Council positions: Co-chairs (2), Treasurer, and Secretary.  Below is a description of each role. Executive Council members share the same voting power as all other members but take on additional responsibilities. While previous experience and related skills are welcome, prior experience is not required. 

If you would like to self-nominate or nominate someone else for an Executive Council but are unable to attend the election, you can indicate your interest in a specific position at the same time you email your candidate introduction. 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the school office: YorkMills@tdsb.on.ca. Use School Council Elections in the subject line.

_________________________________

Parent/Caregiver Representatives of School Council

• solicit the views of other parents/caregivers to share with the School Council;

• represent the views and the opinions of the parent/caregiver community;

• attend and participate in all meetings;

• participate on School Council committees;

• encouraged to participate in and to facilitate any events that the School Council holds during the school year;

• observe the Toronto District School Board's Code of Conduct and School Council By-Laws.

Executive Roles and Responsibilities

Any of the 15 Parent/Caregiver Representatives is eligible for an executive role. You will be on-boarded and receive support (including previous versions of the documents), so previous experience in a school council executive role is not required. 

Co-Chairs (two positions)

• arrange and chair School Council meetings (including preparing agendas, chairing meetings, ensuring the minutes of the meetings are recorded and maintained)

• act as Joint Signing Officer for the council bank account

• ensure that the Annual Report is completed

• facilitate conflict resolution

• act as ex officio members of School Council committees/subcommittees and any school committees, including but not limited to School Budget Committee, School Improvement Plan Committee, School Staffing Committee and Caring and Safe Schools' Committee

• ensure the completion of the School Statements of Needs in collaboration with parents/caregivers

• communicate with the Principal on behalf of the School Council

• consult with senior TDSB Staff and Trustees as needed on behalf of the School Council

• observe the Toronto District School Board's Code of Conduct and School Council By-Laws.

Secretary

• complete records of all meetings in a timely manner

• assist the Co-Chairs in the distribution of minutes to all School Council members, ensure minutes, once approved, are available to the parent/caregiver body (e.g. on the website)

• responsible for the upkeep of all School Council social media and communications to the parent/caregiver body (e.g. blog, social media, email, newsletters, etc.) - Note: Currently the Council does not maintain social media accounts.

• may act as a Joint Signing Officer for the council bank account

• observe the Toronto District School Board's Code of Conduct and School Council By-Laws.

Treasurer

• act as custodian of the funds of the School Council

• handle receipts and disbursement of School Council money

• keep proper records of all financial transactions

• arrange for verification of the School Council’s financial records in June of each year

• act as a Joint Signing Officer

• adhere to the financial protocol instructions outlined in the School Council Financial Guide

• prepare the annual Public-Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) report

• observe the Toronto District School Board's Code of Conduct and School Council By-Laws.