PEEL BOARD ELECTS NEW CHAIR, VICE-CHAIR
Stan Cameron elected as chair, Sue Lawton elected as vice-chair at inaugural meeting

At the first meeting of the new board of trustees on Dec. 3, Stan Cameron was elected as chair of the Peel District School Board. Cameron has served as trustee for eight years, now entering his third term as trustee of Caledon. Sue Lawton, trustee for Mississauga wards 3 and 4, was elected as vice-chair and is beginning her ninth year in public office. Trustees also welcomed new members to the board: Susan Benjamin (Mississauga, ward 5), William Davies (Brampton, wards 2/6), John Marchant (Mississauga, wards 1/7) and Balbir Sohi (Brampton, wards 9/10).

"The Peel District School Board trustees and staff have always been focused on helping all students achieve personal excellence through access to rich programming. We remain committed to this through the continued support of every child, including marginalized students Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+ students, students who live in poverty and those with special education needs," said Cameron in his inaugural remarks. "We will work together with our amazing administrative members to continue to be the best operational/governance school board team in this province. And we will do that by representing all constituents, respecting each other, helping others, listening, and continuing to build our positive working relationships."

In her augural remarks, Lawton said, "Above all, I'm especially grateful to our Peel families, who entrust us every single day to teach and care for their children. I promise to continue to help lead this board as we hold those children at the very heart of everything we do."
In accordance with the Education Act, the chair of the board:

• presides over meetings of the board
• conducts meetings in accordance with the board's procedures and practices for the conduct of board meetings
• establishes agendas for board meetings, in consultation with the board's director of education
• ensures that members of the board have the information needed for informed discussion of the agenda items
• acts as spokesperson to the public on behalf of the board, unless otherwise determined by the board
• conveys the decisions of the board to the board's director of education
• provides leadership to the board in maintaining the board's focus on the multiyear strategic plan, as well as the board's mission and vision

At the inaugural meeting, Director of Education Peter Joshua also previewed some of the major achievements of the past year that will be highlighted in the annual report to the board. The report will be released in January 2019.

"When students walk through our doors, they enter places of inspiration safe, inclusive spaces where they can discover their passions, embrace modern learning and achieve to the best of their ability," said Joshua. "This year, guided by our Plan for Student Success, we will continue to set high expectations for success, nurture well-being, build connections and foster inclusive learning and work environments."

To learn more about the role of trustee, visit www.peelschools.org/trustees.