HWDSB elects new chair, vice-chair

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board trustees have elected Dawn Danko as the incoming chair of the board following Alex Johnstone's decision to step down from the position.

In November, Johnstone - the trustee for Wards 11 and 12 - announced she wouldn't seek a third one-year term as chair because of the vulnerability that our board faces when you have a single chair for an entire term."

On Monday, the trustees elected Danko, who represents Ward 7, as chair and Cam Galindo, trustee for Wards 9 and 10, as vice-chair.

I am grateful for the support of my fellow trustees and look forward to helping this board to see the initiatives we have started through to completion," Danko said.

She indicated that her first priority will be to receive and implement the recommendations from the board's Bullying Prevention and Intervention Review Panel.

In addition, the board of trustees will continue to focus on the effect the pandemic has had on student learning and our finances," she added.

Danko previously served as vice-chair of the board.

In a 27-minute farewell speech in November, Johnstone highlighted challenges the board has faced over the past two years - including COVID-19 and labour negotiations - but said she's filled with pride" to see first-term trustees now chairing committees.

Johnstone will remain on the board and chair the finance and facilities committee.

Jacob Lorinc's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows him to report on stories about education.