Skip to Content
AccessibilityCareersStaffEdsbyOnline Learning PlatformsContact Us
  • Visit our Facebook Page in new window
  • Visit our Twitter Page in new window
  • Visit our Youtube Page in new window
  • Visit our Instagram Page in new window

Greater Essex County District School Board Logo

Contact Us
  • Our Schools
    View More...
    • Accommodations
    • Buses and Transportation
    • Child Care
    • Elementary Schools
    • Find a School
    • Kindergarten
    • Registering for School
    • Renting School Facilities
    • Safe Schools
    • School Cash Online
    • School Climate Surveys
    • School Construction
    • School Year Calendar and Schedules
    • Secondary Schools
    • Special Education
    • Student Records for Closed Schools
    • Which School Do I Attend?
  • Programs and Learning
    View More...
    • Alternative, Adult and Continuing Education
    • Athletics and Sports
    • Black Canadian Programs
    • De-streaming
    • EcoSchools
    • eLearning and Technical Support
    • Enhanced Learning Programs
    • Experiential Learning
    • French as a Second Language
    • Indigenous Education
    • International Baccalaureate Programme
    • International Languages
    • International Students
    • Kindergarten
    • Math
    • Pathways
    • Secondary Programs
    • Special Education
    • Summer Programs
    • Virtual Library
  • Family and Community Support
    View More...
    • 40 Hours Community Involvement
    • Accessibility
    • Champions for Education
    • Child Care
    • Cyber Security
    • EarlyON Child and Family Centres
    • Employment Assessment Centre
    • Equity and Inclusive Education
    • Extreme Weather Events
    • Language Learning
    • Mental Health and Well-Being
    • Parent and Guardian Engagement
    • Renting School Facilities
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
  • News and Events
    View More...
    • COVID-19
    • News and Stories
    • School Year Calendar and Schedules
    • News Releases
  • About GECDSB
    View More...
    • Budget and Finance
    • Board Meetings
    • Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
    • Contact Us
    • Careers
    • EQAO Testing
    • GECDSB Land Acknowledgement
    • Our Board
    • Plans and Reports
    • Policies and Regulations
    • Privacy Policy
    • Purchasing and Procurement
    • Student Senate

Quick Links

  • Students
    Toggle
      40 Hours Community InvolvementAthletics and SportsBrightspace (D2L)myBlueprintOffice 365Online Learning and Technical SupportScholarships and BursariesSchool Cash OnlineSelf Serve Password Registration and ResetSummer ProgramsVirtual LibraryStudent Senate
  • Parents & Families
    Toggle
      Edsby For ParentsmyBlueprintParent and Guardian EngagementParent Guide for Virtual LearningRegistering for SchoolSchool Cash OnlineSchool Year Calendar and SchedulesSpecial Education
  • School Board
    Toggle
      Board AdministrationBoard Meeting CalendarCareersMeet our TrusteesPolicies and RegulationsStaff

Meet Our Trustees

HomeAbout GECDSBOur BoardMeet Our Trustees
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

The Greater Essex County District School Board's (GECDSB) Board of Trustees includes 10 Trustees.    They are elected for a four-year term through the municipal election process.   The current Board of Trustees was elected October 2018 and will serve until November 2022.   The Chairperson is Alicia Higgison.

Board of Trustees

Alicia Higgison

Alicia Higgison - Chairperson of the Board

Representing the Town of Lakeshore, Town of Tecumseh

[email protected]

519-818-4293

Chairperson of the Board

OPSBA Voting Delegate

Julia Burgess

Julia Burgess

Representing the Town of Essex and the Town of Kingsville

[email protected]

519-733-5324

Vice-Chairperson of Education

OPSBA Director

GECPIC – Alternate

Supervised Alternative Learning - Alternate

Sarah Cipkar

Sarah Cipkar

Representing Windsor Wards 3, 4 and 10

[email protected]

519-790-9518

Chairperson of Operations and Finance

OPSBA Director – Alternate

OPSBA Voting Delegate - Alternate

Cathy Cooke

Cathy Cooke

Representing Windsor Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8

[email protected]

519-890-1486

Vice-Chairperson of the Board

Special Education Advisory Committee - GECPIC

Alan Halberstadt

Alan Halberstadt

Representing Windsor Wards 3, 4 and 10

[email protected]

519-984-3289

Audit

Supervised Alternative Learning Committee - City

Ron Le Clair

Ron Le Clair

Representing the Town of Amherstburg, Town of LaSalle

[email protected]

519-995-2277

Audit Committee

Aimee Omstead

Aimee Omstead

Representing the Town of Leamington and Pelee Island

[email protected]

519-818-0825

Chairperson of Education

Supervised Alternative Learning - County Representative

Linda Qin

Linda Qin

Representing Windsor Wards 1, 2 and 9

[email protected]

519-300-3068

Vice-Chairperson of Operations and Finance Committee

Special Education Advisory Council - Alternate

Dr. Jessica Sartori

Dr. Jessica Sartori

Representing Windsor Wards 1, 2 and 9

[email protected]

519-562-9915

Gale Simko-Hatfield

Gale Simko-Hatfield

Representing Windsor Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8

[email protected]

519-971-1667

Audit Committee

Malek Mekawi

Malek Mekawi

Student Trustee – City Representative

[email protected]

Paige Hawkins

Paige Hawkins

Student Trustee – County Representative

[email protected]

How to Communicate with the Board or Individual Trustees

The Board welcomes and values input from students, parents, staff and members of the community regarding Board policies, practices, related issues and its overall education system.

There are established methods in place to assist with effective communication:  

  • Students are encouraged to approach their Student Trustee.
  • Parents are encouraged to work through School Councils who share concerns with the Board through the Greater Essex County Parent Involvement Committee.
  • Staff should refer to the formal communication protocol where appropriate or contact the Director's Office for direction.
  • Members of the community should contact the appropriate Trustee representing their constituency.
About GECDSB
  • Our Board
    Toggle Section
    • Board Administration
      Toggle Section
      • Director of Education
        Toggle Section
        • Director's Message
      • Chris Mills
      • Dr. Clara Howitt
      • Dr. Jeff Hillman
      • Josh Canty
      • Mike Wilcox
      • Sash Querbach
      • Shelley Armstrong
      • Todd Awender
      • Vicki Houston
    • Board Meeting Calendar
    • Chair's Message
    • Meet Our Trustees
      Toggle Section
      • Aimee Omstead
      • Alan Halberstadt
      • Alicia Higgison - Chairperson of the Board
      • Cathy Cooke
      • Gale Simko-Hatfield
      • Jessica Sartori
      • Julia Burgess
      • Linda Qin
      • Ron Le Clair
      • Sarah Cipkar
      • Student Trustee - Malek Mekawi
      • Student Trustee - Paige Hawkins
    • School Board Elections
      Toggle Section
      • Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee
  • Close Full About GECDSB Menu
    Toggle Section
    • Budget and Finance
      Toggle Section Budget and Finance Menu
      • Education Development Charges
      • Financial Statements and Budget
      • Purchasing Property for New Schools
    • Board Meetings
      Toggle Section Board Meetings Menu
      • 2021-2022 Board Meetings
      • 2020-2021 Board Meetings
      • 2019-2020 Board Meetings
    • Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
    • Contact Us
    • Careers
      Toggle Section Careers Menu
      • Non-Teaching Careers
        Toggle Section Non-Teaching Careers Menu
        • Conditions of Employment
      • Principal and Vice Principal Career Opportunities
      • Teaching Careers
    • EQAO Testing
      Toggle Section EQAO Testing Menu
      • EQAO Results
      • Parent Support for EQAO
    • GECDSB Land Acknowledgement
    • Plans and Reports
      Toggle Section Plans and Reports Menu
      • Long Term Accommodation Report
      • Board Improvement and Equity Plan (BIEP)
      • Communication Plan
      • Director's Annual Report
      • Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan
      • Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting
      • EQAO Results
      • Facility Partnership Annual Reports
      • Green Energy Act Reporting
      • Strategic Plan
    • Policies and Regulations
    • Privacy Policy
    • Purchasing and Procurement
    • Student Senate
      Toggle Section Student Senate Menu
      • Student of the Month

Contact

Subscribe to page updates

Greater Essex County District School Board footer logo

Greater Essex County District School Board

451 Park Street West
P.O. Box 210
Windsor ON N9A 6K1

Phone: (519) 255-3200
Toll Free: 1-888-779-7735

Connect

  • Visit our Facebook Page in new window
  • Visit our Twitter Page in new window
  • Visit our Youtube Page in new window
  • Visit our Instagram Page in new window
AccessibilitySitemapPrivacyEdsbyOnline Learning PlatformsWebsite FeedbackContact Us

© 2022 Greater Essex County District School Board

Designed by eSolutionsGroup

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.