Become a Limestone District School Board Trustee

Becoming a Limestone District School Board Trustee is an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of every student, in every classroom, in every school, across our entire district. Trustees play an important role in shaping public education by setting direction, developing policy, and advocating for strong, inclusive schools that support both student achievement and well‑being.

Trustees come from many different backgrounds and life experiences, and that diversity of perspectives strengthens the work across the system. What unites Trustees is a shared commitment to supporting student success and ensuring that all students feel safe, supported, and valued in our schools.

About the Limestone District School Board

Limestone serves more than 20,500 students across the large and diverse geographic area, that includes the City of Kingston, the Townships of Central Frontenac, North Frontenac, South Frontenac, Addington Highlands, Loyalist, Stone Mills, the Frontenac Islands, and the Town of Greater Napanee.

We operate 55 schools, and five alternative education centres, supporting students in urban, rural, and island communities. Altogether, the district spans more than 7,700 square kilometres, which really highlights the diversity of communities, and the needs Trustees represent.

Despite the size and variety of our region, what connects all our schools is a shared commitment to strong, inclusive public education. Decisions made at the Board table have an impact across this entire region on students, families, and communities.

Publicly Funded School Boards in Ontario

In Ontario, publicly funded school boards are provincially legislated from the education act.

That legislation sets out the roles, responsibilities, and authority of School Boards Trustees. School Boards operate under the oversight of the Ontario Ministry of Education, which establishes provincial priorities, curriculum requirements, and funding frameworks. While the province sets the framework, Boards are governed locally by municipally elected Trustees.

Across Ontario, there are four types of publicly funded School Boards, each serving different communities and linguistic or faith-based mandates within the public system. These include:

• English Public
• English Catholic
• French Public
• French Catholic

Who Are School Board Trustees and Why Are They Important?

School Board Trustees are locally elected members of the district School Board and serve as community advocates for public education. They are elected through the Municipal Elections Act but are operated and governed under the Ontario Education Act.

Individual Trustees don't have authority on their own, but work as a team, and make decisions collectively. Their role is focused on policy and governance, not day-to-day school operations, which are managed by the Director of Education and staff. Trustees are responsible for accountability to the public and to the Ministry of Education while always putting students first.

Conducting Business of the Board

Trustees attend monthly Board meetings, along with additional committee or special meetings as required. Each Trustee typically serves on one or more of the Board’s statutory or standing committees, contributing to the work that supports effective governance and decision‑making. Trustees may also represent the Limestone District School Board at provincial organizations and meetings, helping to ensure the Board’s voice is included in broader education discussions.

Additional Duties of a Trustee

Trustees advocate for publicly funded education, both to the Ministry of Education and through provincial associations. They act as a key connection between the community and the Board, bringing questions concerns and ideas from families and the public forward to Trustees, the Director of Education, and Senior Staff.

Trustees also represent Limestone at school events, community meetings, school council forms, and other public gatherings. This visibility and accessibility are an important part of the role, helping communities feel heard and connected to public education.

Term and Eligibility

Trustees are elected every four years, with the upcoming term running from November 2026 to November 2030. The Limestone District School Board is made up of nine elected Trustees who represent communities across the district, along with one Indigenous Trustee appointed by the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, who serves alongside elected Trustees for the same term. To be eligible to serve as a Trustee, an individual must be at least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen, and a resident within the Limestone District School Board area. Trustees must also be registered as supporters of the public school system and be eligible to vote in a School Board election.

Remuneration

Trustee compensation is set out in the Education Act and is consistent across Ontario. Trustees receive an annual base honorarium of $5,900, along with $50 per eligible meeting, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year. The Chair and Vice‑Chair receive additional amounts in recognition of their leadership responsibilities. Trustees also receive an enrolment‑based amount, which is determined provincially each year and distributed among Trustees based on student enrolment. Overall, this is not a salaried position; the honorarium is intended to recognize the time, responsibility, and public service commitment involved in the role.

Addition information is available on the City of Kingston Elections website.