Before the Ballot- School Trustee Edition with Abby Zaitley, Candidate for Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Trustee (Public) – Ward 4.

Enjoy this instalment of Before the Ballot- School Trustee Edition with Abby Zaitley, Candidate for Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Trustee (Public) – Ward 4.

Please tell our readers a little about yourself and what motivated you to seek election as a School Board Trustee.

I’m seeking re-election as the Ward 4 Trustee with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board because I believe there’s still important work to do. It has been a privilege to serve my community over the past two years after being elected in the by-election, and I would be honored to have the opportunity to continue that work with a full four-year term.

Over the past two years, I’ve made it a priority to be accessible, responsive, and connected with families, and community members. I’ve seen the many strengths of our public education system, but I’ve also seen the challenges our schools face every day. I believe every student deserves a safe, welcoming, and supportive place to learn, and I’ll continue advocating for the resources, supports, and policies that help make that a reality for all our students.

In your view, what are the three most important issues currently facing students, parents, educators, and the school board, and how would you help address them?

It’s hard to narrow it down to just three issues because so many of the challenges in education are connected. At the root of many of them is a lack of adequate provincial funding. With better funding, we could strengthen special education supports, improve school buildings, expand student supports, and do a better job meeting the diverse needs of all learners.

That said, the three issues I hear about most from families in Ward 4 are student safety and well-being, communication and transparency, and the condition of our school buildings.

Student safety is always a top priority. Families want their children to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn every day. That means continuing to invest in mental health supports, proactive support, and programs that help identify and address students' needs before they become bigger challenges.

Good communication is part of building strong school communities. Parents deserve to know what’s happening in their children's schools and understand how decisions are made. I’ve worked hard to be accessible, whether that’s through newsletters, town halls, school council meetings, community meetings, or simply being available to answer questions and listen to concerns. I’ll continue to be open, approachable, and committed to keeping families informed.

Our school buildings also need continued investment. Our facilities need practical upgrades like improving accessibility and upgraded HVAC, while also creating learning spaces that feel comfortable and inspiring for our students. From outdoor classrooms to modern learning spaces and ensuring schools have the supplies and resources they need.

A trustee's role is one of governance rather than day-to-day management. How do you see the relationship between trustees, board administration, and school principals?

One of the biggest misconceptions about being a school board trustee is that we make the day-to-day decisions for our schools or that we can influence curriculum. Our role is to provide oversight for the school board by setting policies, approving budgets, and making decisions that affect the system as a whole.

That doesn't mean we can't advocate for individual families. A big part of my role is helping parents understand how the school system works, connecting them with the right people, and advocating for them when they're having trouble navigating the system. This is why I believe trustees need to build strong relationships at every level of the school system so they can effectively advocate for the communities they serve.

What changes or improvements, if any, would you like to see in the delivery of education within our local school system over the next four years?

Over the next four years, I’d like to see a renewed focus on finding the right balance between technology and traditional classroom learning.

Technology is an important part of education, and our students need strong digital literacy skills to prepare them for an evolving technology-driven world. At the same time, technology should support learning, not replace the foundational skills that help students think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively.

That’s why I brought forward a motion to scope the development of an AI policy for our board. Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and our schools need to be prepared. We should be teaching students how to use AI responsibly and ethically while also making sure they continue to build the critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that AI can't replace.

I also want to see more opportunities for handwriting, reading physical books, collaborative discussions, and hands-on learning.

Why should voters place their trust in you? What qualities, experience, or perspective would you bring to the role of School Board Trustee that distinguish you from the other candidates?

Over the past two years, I have built a strong record of being present, engaged, and responsive to my community. I don't just attend board meetings, I participate in school council meetings, host town halls, answer emails and phone calls, and work closely with families, educators, and community organizations.

I have also worked collaboratively with local leaders, including partnerships with City Councillor Tammy Hwang, to connect schools with additional community supports and resources. As well as with the Daily School Route to create safer streets and neighbourhood surrounding our schools.

One of the things I am most proud of is being accessible. I believe people deserve a trustee who listens, follows up, and works hard to build relationships. If re-elected, I will continue building on that work while advocating for policies and investments that put students first.

What would you like parents, students and the broader public to know about the role of a Trustee?

I want people to know that I genuinely want to hear from them.

As a trustee, I don't sit at the board table to represent my personal opinions, I am there to represent the voices of Ward 4. Our community is diverse, and every family experiences our education system differently.

Whether you're facing challenges, celebrating successes, or have ideas for improving our schools, I want to hear from you. Those conversations help me better understand our community's priorities and strengthen my advocacy at the board table. The more connected we are, the better I can represent Ward 4 and ensure our community's voice is heard.

How can voters contact you and/or learn more about you?

Community members can learn more about my campaign by visiting www.AbbyZaitley.com They can also contact me directly by email at abbyzaitley@gmail.com or follow me on Instagram at Instagram.com/abbyzaitley for campaign updates and information about my work.

Thank-you Abby  for engaging with Hamiltonians on The Hamiltonian!