Opinion | Waterloo Region public school board has to realize why it is driving students away
By Cindy Watson, Bill Cody and Mike Ramsay, published in The Waterloo Region Record
Many of you may have caught the recent opinion piece by three dedicated trustees of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), published in the Waterloo Region Record, just this past Monday January 20, 2025.
We, parents of Waterloo Region, believe it is vital to amplify their message. We encourage all parents to reflect on their perspectives, engage in this critical dialogue, and take action—whether by sharing your views, offering feedback, or standing in support if you are in alignment.
Trustees Watson, Ramsay, and Cody: we thank you. As the minority voice at this table, consistently outnumbered three to eight, you have relentlessly championed the interests of parents and students within the WRDSB. Your courage, perseverance, and unwavering dedication—despite the challenges, frustrations, and sacrifices, both during and beyond “office hours”—are truly commendable. Your integrity and steadfast advocacy for parents and students do not go unnoticed.
How do you follow the money in education? Follow the enrolment.
Student enrolment is the primary driver of funding. If enrolment drops, so does funding, which could mean cuts for programs and services for students and, eventually, school closures.
Last year, enrolment estimates were down by 300 students, roughly a $4-million loss. As a result, we took a more conservative approach to our projections. Even so, this year’s estimates were down by 601 full-time equivalents.
A look at the historical trends of junior and senior kindergarten enrolment, immigration rates and regional growth is a good place to start.
The public board has received funding for declining enrolment similar to what is usually reserved for rural boards, while the Catholic board in this region is growing by four per cent.
We need to ask ourselves difficult questions, such as why are parents not choosing the Waterloo Region public board, before exploring possible solutions.
In 2022, a refresh of the board’s strategic plan process revealed parental concerns.
Select groups were given opportunity for two-way conversations while the majority of parents received a survey with broad questions.
Trustees did not receive any statistical information about the survey, only comments made by parents. For example, parents felt unheard, which impacted their ability to trust the direction of the public board; they felt decisions were being made without public consultation; dissenting voices didn’t feel heard; and these concerns were never addressed.
For the past three years, parents have threatened to find educational alternatives because they believed their children were being indoctrinated with ideologies and identity politics and they felt their concerns were either ignored, or mischaracterized.
Just recently delegation bylaws were changed forcing parents to provide their full delegation before being given permission to speak to the board. The boardroom capacity for parents has been pared to 35, with no overflow. If the boardroom is full, parents are turned away.
Everyone should have the opportunity to hear questions and concerns at the same time. We must listen to all voices, and we must do things differently if we ever hope to strike a balance that is so obviously needed.
Cindy Watson, Bill Cody and Mike Ramsay are trustees with the Waterloo Region District School Board.
Yes!