Huron-Superior Catholic School Board Approves New Honoraria Rates

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (H-SCDSB) has approved new honoraria rates for its trustees, effective from November 15, 2025. This decision was made during a recent board meeting, where trustees discussed the structure and amounts associated with their compensation.

According to Ontario Regulation 357/06 of the Education Act, school boards in Ontario are required to establish a policy that outlines the honoraria for trustees. The honoraria can be influenced by several factors, including the base amount for the year, the board’s enrolment figures, attendance at meetings, and the distance traveled by trustees for board-related activities.

Justin Pino, the H-SCDSB superintendent of business, explained that trustees will receive a base amount of $5,900, bringing their total honoraria to $6,756 when factoring in enrolment figures. The chair and vice-chair of the board will also receive additional amounts: the chair will earn a total of $12,256 while the vice-chair will receive $9,506, which includes their respective base amounts of $5,000 and $2,500.

Trustees are public officials elected to support the board in fulfilling its responsibilities under Ontario’s Education Act, with a primary focus on enhancing student achievement and well-being. They are tasked with voting on matters that benefit the board while representing the interests of the communities they serve.

In a broader context, the status of school trustees has come under scrutiny. Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Education Minister, suggested this summer that the government might consider eliminating the positions of school trustees, a move aimed at increasing provincial oversight of school boards. This proposal has faced opposition from local education leaders.

Both Sandra Turco, chair of H-SCDSB, and Jennifer Sarlo, chair of the Algoma District School Board (ADSB), voiced their concerns regarding the potential elimination of trustees during discussions in September. In an email, Turco emphasized the importance of local representation, stating, “Trustees and school boards play a crucial role in ensuring that educational decisions reflect the unique needs of the communities they serve.”

She further articulated that families, students, and staff deserve representatives who understand their specific contexts and can advocate effectively at the board level.

The approval of the new honoraria rates reflects the ongoing commitment of the H-SCDSB to uphold the value of local governance in education, even as discussions about the future role of trustees continue. The board remains steadfast in its mission to serve the educational interests of its community while navigating the shifting landscape of educational governance in Ontario.