SENT TO TRUSTEES, SUPERINTENDENTS, SECRETARY-TREASURERS AND EAs

Term of Office, Inaugural Meeting and Oath of Office

What follows are some frequently asked questions about the term of office, the inaugural meeting and the oath of office.


When does the term of office for the current board end?

Trustees who served during the 2018-2022 term are currently in office and they still have full authority until their term of office ends.

The date when the term of office for current trustees ends may vary depending on when members of the new board take the oath of office. Members of the current board who are not re-elected cease to be trustees “immediately before the first Monday after November 1 in the year of the next general school election or when at least 3 trustees elected at … that election have taken office, whichever is later” [School Act s. 49(b)]. Therefore, November 7, 2022, is the earliest date on which the members of the current board will no longer be trustees (i.e. they are still trustees on November 6, 2022, until midnight, even if all of the incoming trustees have been sworn in earlier). If at least 3 trustees who were elected in the 2022 general election have not taken the oath of office by November 7, the members of the current board continue in office after November 7, 2022 (until at least 3 trustees of the new board have taken the oath of office).


Do trustees who will not be serving on the 2022-2026 board need to complete another statement of disclosure under the Financial Disclosure Act statement?

Yes. Former trustees are required to complete and file a Statement of Disclosure under the Financial Disclosure Act by the 15 of the month following the date they cease to hold office. For example, if a trustee’s term of office ends in November of 2022, the trustee will need to complete a Statement of Disclosure and submit it to the secretary-treasurer of the Board by December 15, 2022. The form is available online here.


When can the new board hold its inaugural meeting following the 2022 general election?

November 7, 2022, is the earliest day that a board can hold its inaugural meeting. The timeline for holding the inaugural meeting varies depending on when the new board begins its term of office. When a board may hold its inaugural meeting is calculated based on when the term of office begins. Section 67 of the School Act requires the secretary-treasurer to “convene a first meeting of the board as soon as possible and in any event within 30 days from the date that the new board begins its term of office.” Please note that some boards have policies that address the timing of inaugural meetings.


Do all trustees elected in the 2022 general school election need to take the oath of office?

Yes. All trustees elected in the 2022 general school election (including those who served as school trustees during the 2018-2022 term) need to take the oath of office.

For additional information about the oath of office, please see the October 4 bulletin.


Disclaimer: This bulletin provides general information and should not be relied upon as legal advice.

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