The Board of Trustees of the Winnipeg School Division is comprised of nine trustees, who are elected for a four-year term.

School trustees are elected officials whose prime responsibility is to function as a board to set policy regarding the provision of educational services.

The Winnipeg School Division has nine wards, with one trustee elected per ward. Although elected on a ward basis, all nine trustees have the responsibility to make decisions in the best interest of WSD as a whole, not only their own ward.

• Role of the Chair
  The Chair of the Board maintains order and proper conduct and decorum at meetings in accordance with the Public Schools Act and Procedural By-Law. They are also a voting member. The Chair is the official spokesperson of the Board and presents the majority position of the Board. The Chair also represents the Board at public functions.
• Role of the Vice-Chair
  The Vice-Chair acts for the Chair in their absence. During Board meetings, the Vice-Chair usually chairs the committee of the whole.
• Role of the Committees
  The Winnipeg School Board has several committees that meet to discuss items that come under their specific terms of reference. Committees make recommendations to the Board for consideration. They cannot make decisions without the approval of the Board. Preparing for and participating in school board and committee meetings are important roles of a school trustee.

Trustees shall:

• Attend duly called meetings of the Board of Trustees and any committee to which they are appointed.
• Serve as chairs of committees and of the Board as called upon and accept any other assignment given to them by the Board, unless they feel that they cannot fulfil the duties thus assigned.
• In no event, shall a trustee absent themselves for three consecutive Regular meetings, without the formal approval of the Board.
• Keep in strictest confidence any information surrounding any matter brought to the trustee’s attention in Committee of the Whole.
• Direct matters about Board policy, Board officials, principals, teachers, and other personnel through proper channels.
• Act as a representative of the Board at all public functions which they are called upon to attend in the capacity of a trustee in accordance with the Protocol for School Events.
• Make no statement, announcement, press or publicity release as representing Board policies, actions or plans, unless such policies, actions or plans have been formally adopted by the Board.
• Trustees shall respect that the Chairperson shall be the Division’s spokesperson.
• Trustees may speak on their own behalf in respect to any proposed or existing Board policies, actions or plans.

Trustee Honourarium

The annual indemnity ranges from $24,000 to $29,500 to assist with Board Business including attending meetings.

Manitoba School Boards Association - Information Brochure (PDF)

Code of Conduct

It is the responsibility of all Trustees to commit to the Code of Conduct and to act at all times respectfully and with good faith, and in the best interests of the Winnipeg School Division in accordance with Policies AC – Human Rights, GBEAA – Violence Prevention, GCPDA – Harassment Prevention, Board Procedural By-Law, the Public Schools Act, the Education Administration Act, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Personal Health and Information Act and its Regulations and other relevant legislation.

Trustees must work together co-operatively in order to best serve the interests of students, parents, staff and constituents.