1. School Council
Election Process

2. Fall Election for Parent Positions
Determines parent representatives – not executive (e.g. Chair, Vice-Chair etc.) positions
Executive positions can be determined after parent membership is in place
Minimum membership includes:
Majority of parents
Parent membership is not restricted to any number of parents
Your bylaws determine your actual membership
An HWDSB employee can be a member on the council of their child's school as a staff representative if they declare that they are an HWDSB employee

3. Planning the Election
Step One

4. Planning the Election STEP 1
Consider forming an election planning committee consisting of parents, teachers and support staff
Secondary schools should include a student representative, appointed by student council
It is recommended that this election planning committee be formed in the spring prior to the next school year
Begin by forming an election planning committee, which will be responsible for planning and holding the election. Section 7.3 of the School Council: A Guide for Members, provides useful timelines to help with your planning.
A student rep should also be involved if you are a secondary school council. If there is no student council, then the student representative will be elected by the student body.
It's best to begin forming this committee in the Spring, so you have plenty of time to plan the election.

5. Planning the Election STEP 2
Develop your election plan before your last school council meeting of the year
Include the date, time and location of the election for school council parent members (must occur within first 30 calendar days of the school year) and submit the permit date through eBase.
STEP 3
Advertise the election - communicate in June through school newsletter & website
The planning committee's first task is to choose an appropriate election date and time.
The election must happen within the first 30 calendar days of the school year.
Election information can be communicated to parents in June through the school newsletter and website.

6. Inform parents of the process for nominations and elections
Planning the Election
STEP 4
Inform parents of the process for nominations and elections
STEP 5
Ongoing communication in the days leading up to the election is essential to encourage parent engagement
Nomination forms are returned to the school
As part of Step 4, communication regarding school council elections can be shared through your school’s summer communication or September start up letter.

7. Planning Your Election
STEP 6
collect back the nomination forms
share with parents before election
These processes will be further established and influenced by parental interest in school council.
create a list with bios of candidates
Inform parents of election date & how many reps to vote for

8. Planning the Election
STEP 7
Hold the election

9. During the Election
Step Two

10. During the Election
Elections must be conducted by secret ballot
Only parents or guardians of a student enrolled at the school can vote
All eligible voters may cast one vote for each parent position
Voters must be present at the school on the election day(s) during the hours of the election
Individuals running for a position should not be staffing the election table

11. After the Election
Step Three

12. Final Checklist
Announce names of elected council members within 30 days of the election
Newsletter
School website
Social media
Internal School Council Yammer
Elected council members serve a term of 1 school year. Additionally, there is no maximum number of terms for a council member.
Hold the first meeting within 35 calendar days of the school year & elect your executive positions

13. Thank you for your work on behalf of the children
For information or support, please