Our Board

As we move toward the end of 2025, I would like to take a moment to share the following year-end message. I recognize that this is also the beginning of our final year for this term as elected trustees.

I want my fellow trustees to know that I am grateful for their support at our annual Organizational Meeting, where I was elected to continue as Chairperson of the Board. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Trustee Buckler this past year, serving the Board as Vice-Chair. She is very passionate about what we do as trustees and is always mindful about supporting students and staff. Moving forward, I know our new Vice-Chair, Trustee Nelson, will be supportive of our ongoing work and commitment to ensuring good governance and the success and well-being of all students and staff at our board.  

As I noted in my statement at the Organizational Meeting, serving as Chairperson over the past three years has not always been easy. At times, the role has been demanding and difficult, made more so by the uncertainty of the circumstances surrounding public education right now. I want to stress my belief that all Trustees care deeply about our students and are genuinely committed to making their learning experiences positive and successful. The same can be said of our Director of Education and her staff. Their solid commitment and successes over this past year were highlighted in this year’s Director’s Annual Report. On behalf of the trustees, our sincere gratitude for making us proud to serve the Greater Essex County District School Board.

As we move forward in 2026, I will continue to help provide a clear understanding of our duties and responsibilities. Our shared goal, as a school board, is to uphold and implement our mission, values and strategic priorities with pride and always in the best interest of students.

I will continue to provide prudent and thoughtful guidance to the trustees, supporting informed decision-making and drawing upon my experience to lead in a way that respects the perspectives and opinions of all. We may not always agree on the path forward, but if our collective aim is to do what is best for students, then we will continue to achieve success.

As we conclude 2025 and enter the second half of the 2025-2026 school year, we are joined by two new Trustees to our Board. I am pleased to welcome Chandrika Abhang and Cheryll Lovell and look forward to the wisdom and experience they will bring to our team.

The winter break is coming up soon and I extend my best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season. As always, my wish for the New Year is world peace which seems to be more remote each day. But I look forward to the future with positivity for our small part of the world, where we know our students and staff are welcome in a safe, caring environment.

I remain GECDSB Proud with a deep and unwavering commitment to public education.

With gratitude,

Gale Hatfield
Chairperson of the Board