Gary McBean

Trustees, the Board, and the Province

I would bring strong community experience, clear communication, and the ability to listen to parents, teachers, and students. These strengths help me understand real problems in local schools and work with the board to make practical changes—like better supervision, faster responses to safety concerns, and more support programs. I personally visited 94 % of TDSB High Schools within the past 4 years.I'll demonstrate integrity to the highest level and walk the talk.I have over 8 years of experience working directly with parents and children.

Bullying in Schools

A School Board Trustee should make sure every student feels safe, respected, and included. My role is to listen to families, understand what is happening in our schools, and push the board to respond quickly and fairly. I would support clear anti bullying policies ( such as PPM144), stronger mental health support (PPS), and better training for staff so they can spot problems early. I would also work to make sure students from all backgrounds feel welcome, and that schools deal with discrimination seriously and consistently.

Class Sizes and Staffing

TDSB should make sure every school has enough teachers and educational assistants so students get the support they need. My role is to listen to families, understand where shortages are happening, and push the board to direct resources to the schools that need them most. My priorities would be reducing overcrowded classes, improving EA support for students with special needs, and making sure staffing decisions are fair and based on real community needs. I would also support clear reporting so parents can see how resources are being used.

Special Programs and Program Access

I would prioritize fair access so every student, no matter their background or neighbourhood, can get into the programs they need. Many families struggle with long waitlists or programs that are far from home, so improving access is key. I would support clearer info for parents, more spaces in high demand programs, and stronger special education support across all schools. I would work to make sure language and arts programs are available in our city, not just a few areas. Supports students with learning needs, IEPs. Specialized classrooms.