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 Chairperson of the Board OPSBA Voting Delegate |
Julia Burgess |
Representing the Town of Essex and the Town of Kingsville Vice-Chairperson of Education OPSBA Director GECPIC – Alternate Supervised Alternative Learning - Alternate |
Sarah Cipkar |
Representing Windsor Wards 3, 4 and 10 Chairperson of Operations and Finance OPSBA Director – Alternate OPSBA Voting Delegate - Alternate |
Cathy Cooke |
Representing Windsor Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8 Vice-Chairperson of the Board Special Education Advisory Committee - GECPIC |
Alan Halberstadt |
Representing Windsor Wards 3, 4 and 10 Audit Supervised Alternative Learning Committee - City |
Ron Le Clair |
Representing the Town of Amherstburg, Town of LaSalle Audit Committee |
Aimee Omstead |
Representing the Town of Leamington and Pelee Island Chairperson of Education Supervised Alternative Learning - County Representative |
Linda Qin |
Representing Windsor Wards 1, 2 and 9 Vice-Chairperson of Operations and Finance Committee Special Education Advisory Council - Alternate |
Dr. Jessica Sartori |
Representing Windsor Wards 1, 2 and 9 |
Gale Simko-Hatfield |
Representing Windsor Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8 Audit Committee |
Malek Mekawi |
Malek Mekawi Student Trustee – City Representative |
Paige Hawkins |
Paige Hawkins Student Trustee – County Representative |
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.