[Highlights mine]
[NOV. 18th FOLLOW UP: Trustee Davis' motion, with an amendment from Trustee Kennedy, was narrowly defeated by one vote after a robust presentation/ debate at tonight's TCDSB board meet! Report to follow...]
[NOV. 18th FOLLOW UP: Trustee Davis' motion, with an amendment from Trustee Kennedy, was narrowly defeated by one vote after a robust presentation/ debate at tonight's TCDSB board meet! Report to follow...]
The following resolution by TCDSB [Toronto Catholic District
School Board] Trustee Jo-Ann Davis proposes altering the rules for electing Catholic board
trustees so that students ages 16 and over are allowed to vote! The school board trustees will vote on the resolution at their Nov. 19 board meeting.
TOPIC: Changing the voting age to 16 years of age for
Ontario school board trustee elections
WHEREAS: The Mission of the TCDSB is, “at Toronto Catholic
we transform the world through witness, faith, innovation and action.”
WHEREAS: Student
trustees, who sit with us around the horseshoe as respected colleagues, are
themselves 16 and 17 years of age.
WHEREAS: Currently,
at 18, many young people leave their homes to attend college, university or
search for work. Lowering the voting age
will give the vote to students who have roots in their community and an
appreciation for their local school board issues.
WHEREAS: Studies show
that if citizens begin voting earlier, and get into the habit of doing so
earlier, they are more likely to do so throughout life. Parent voter turnout is
also expected to increase as it increases the whole family’s interest in
voting.
WHEREAS: Young voters
have a unique opportunity, through our grade 9 and 10 Civic classes, to come to
the polls with a solid understanding of what they’re voting on.
WHEREAS: Teenagers
have high levels of volunteerism and community service, yet many feel turned
off by politics. Lowering the voting age gives youth a real stake in their
futures, making them more likely to become involved and active in the political
process.
WHEREAS: Arguably,
the role of school board trustee is the elected position which most impacts the
daily lives of our students and yet they do not have a voice in their election.
WHEREAS: Countries
including Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cuba and Scotland have already lowered
the voting age to 16. The Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe has actively encouraged member states to
consider lowering the voting age to 16 in their jurisdictions. The New Brunswick legislature will soon be
dealing with a Bill to lower the voting age. And, state legislators in
Massachusetts, New York and New Mexico are currently dealing with electoral reform
legislation that would lower the voting age in their respective states.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The Chair and Director, on behalf of all trustees of the
board, write the Premier, Minister of Education and Minister of Municipal
Affairs, copying trustees, OCSTA, and all Toronto MPPs and City Councillors,
advocating that under the Ontario Municipal Elections Act the voting age to be
an elector at a school board trustee election held in a local municipality be
lowered to 16 years of age.
Trustee Jo-Ann Davis can be reached @ jo-ann.davis@tcdsb.org
NOTES:
NOTES:
I am happy to report on this bold, progressive proposal from the often rather staid, ultra conservative TCDSB that might breath some new life into it's noble if not sometimes quite muted and flaccid, at the trustee level anyway "Mission Statement". Of course it requires a lot further discussion and consideration of the relative merits made, though Ms. Davis' rationale is well explained.
Pros + Cons? One looks forward to your teacher free speech "Comments" below, and of course, on attending the Thursday November 19th board meeting!
SHOULD 16 YEAR OLD STUDENTS BE GIVEN A SCHOOL TRUSTEE VOTE?
SHOULD 16 YEAR OLD STUDENTS BE GIVEN A SCHOOL TRUSTEE VOTE?
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