SC Elections
Who elects the chair or co-chairs, and what two eligibility conditions apply?
Council members elect them. They must be parent members and must not be employed by the board.
Innovation Grant projects should centre engagement of which school-community group?
Parents and caregivers.
What is the minimum number of school council meetings required each school year?
Four (4)
What does PIAC stand for?
Parent Involvement Advisory Committee.
What does SSON stand for?
School Statement of Needs.
Must adhere to reg. 612 and TDSB procedures, including P031- Human Rights Policy, P037- Equity Policy, P034- Workplace harassment, Prevention of Non-Human Rights Code Harassment Policy-P051, Caring and Safe Schools Policy and PR585, Board Code of Conduct
All those who attend School Council Meetings
Which TDSB office, abbreviated PCCEO, can councils contact about the Innovation Grant process?
The Parent/Caregiver and Community Engagement Office.
Which school council member cannot vote on council decisions?
Principal
Name two ways PIAC supports parents and councils.
It shares information and supports councils, and advises or recommends to the board on parent engagement.
The superintendent uses the SSON to help place which school leader when a vacancy occurs?
A new principal.
Does an outgoing member’s regular term end on June 30 or when the next election occurs? Identify the transition point and meeting deadline.
Neither. The term ends at the first council meeting after the next school year’s elections. That meeting must occur within the first 35 days of the school year, after the elections.
Families report language and childcare barriers to a proposed workshop. Name two supports the council could explore.
Interpretation or translated information, and childcare.
A council has 12 current members. Seven attend, but only three are parent members. Can it hold an official meeting? Explain.
No. Quorum or 51% has not been met!
More than half of all current members must attend, and more than half of those attending must be parent members. Seven satisfies the first requirement; at least four of the seven must be parent members.
Does PIAC’s parent-engagement mandate operate mainly at one school or across the board?
Across the school board.
Who develops the parent section, and when?
Parent representatives through council, consulting the school community and trustee when available, develop it annually in the fall.
How must votes be cast in a parent-member election to keep individual choices confidential?
By secret ballot.
A proposal promises stronger parent engagement. Name two ways to evaluate whether the event achieved that goal.
Track parent/caregiver participation and collect feedback on whether the event helped families participate or support their children.
Through parent participation, school councils aim to improve student achievement and strengthen what relationship with parents?
The education system’s accountability to parents.
Can a non-elected parent participate in every PIAC working group? Explain.
No. Outreach or open groups welcome public participation; governance groups are restricted to PIAC members.
Which document identifies community needs for principal placement, and which sets school-improvement goals and actions: the SSON or SIP?
The SSON informs principal placement; the School Improvement Plan (SIP) sets improvement goals and actions.
How many days before the parent-member election must the principal give parents written notice for the council?
At least 14 days.
A council copies an old application, budget, and deadline. Before submitting, name three items it must verify for the new cycle.
The current deadline and submission method; current project and expense eligibility; and the current funding limit and accurate project costs.
In Zemer v. TDSB (2025 ONSC 4551), could the TDSB disband the school council and order a new election two months later because it considered the election unfair?
No. The court found that the TDSB lacked jurisdiction to make that decision.
Under reg. 612, School Councils are Ministry-mandated and not under jurisdiction of TDSB
Several schools report the same participation barrier. Should PIAC issue binding instructions to principals or recommend action to the board? Explain.
Recommend action to the board. PIAC is advisory: it supports engagement and councils but does not manage schools or direct principals.
Families identify racism and inaccessible communication. Turn these into two leadership needs for the SSON.
A principal demonstrating effective anti-racism and inclusive leadership, and building accessible, two-way communication with diverse families.