Both Halton school boards are recruiting parents, students and residents for advisory committees, with HDSB deadlines on October 30 and November 15
HDSB wants community members and organizations for its Special Education Advisory Committee by October 30, and parents and students for its mental-health committee by November 15. HCDSB is taking nominations for the SEAC formed after the October 26 election.
The details
Halton District School Board
The Halton District School Board said in September that it is seeking parents and guardians, students and community members for several system-wide advisory committees, which it describes as a way to provide guidance on board strategies and help shape school communities. Four committees were listed; two of the application windows have since closed, and two remain open.
- Up to three community representatives, plus local organizations affiliated with a provincial association for exceptional children. Deadline October 30, 2026.
- Two parents of elementary students, two parents of secondary students, two Grade 7 or 8 students and two Grade 9–12 students. Two meetings a year. Deadline November 15, 2026.
- Four members at large; meets up to five evenings a year. Deadline was October 2, 2026.
- Three parent positions, including one Oakville elementary representative. Deadline was September 25, 2026.
SEAC community representatives must be Canadian citizens aged 18 or older, live within the board's jurisdiction, be eligible to vote for HDSB trustees and not be board employees. Organizations wishing to sit on SEAC must operate locally and be affiliated with a provincial body dedicated to exceptional children, and are asked to submit a letter naming a representative and an alternate. Applications for every committee go through expression-of-interest forms linked from the board's advisory committees page.
Halton Catholic District School Board
The Halton Catholic District School Board is also inviting local associations and community members at large to apply for its Special Education Advisory Committee. Under Ontario Regulation 464/97 every board must have a SEAC, and a new one is formed every four years after the trustee election, with members serving for the board's term of office. The October 26, 2026 municipal election, in which Oakville's Catholic school supporters elect their trustees, triggers that reset.
HCDSB's SEAC members must be Canadian citizens aged 18 or older, live in Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton or Oakville, and be registered Catholic school supporters; board employees are not eligible. Members attend ten meetings a year from September to June, typically on the last Monday of the month, and are expected to read materials in advance, learn the board's special-education programs and carry information between SEAC and their association. Associations submit a letter of interest and individuals a résumé and letter through the board's nomination form; the board's post does not state a closing date.
What the committees do
A SEAC advises its board on the establishment, development and delivery of special-education programs and services, on the special-education plan and reports, and on the special-education budget. HDSB's mental-health committee feeds into the board's three-year Mental Health and Addictions Strategy and its yearly action plan, while HREAC proposes and responds to human-rights and equity initiatives. None of the committees makes decisions itself; each reports advice to the elected trustees.
Sources
Halton District School Board
HDSB Advisory CommitteesHalton District School Board
HDSB Seeking Parents/Guardians, Students and Community Members for System-Wide Advisory CommitteesHalton Catholic District School Board
HCDSB Seeking Members for Special Education Advisory Committee