Brandon Choi

Trustees, the Board, and the Province

My priority is the safety, wellbeing and achievement of our students, while also being present and accessible. Our public education system is facing unprecedented cuts that will hurt students and educators. While the trustee’s powers have been taken away, I will advocate relentlessly for the needs of our community. For the past 4 years I’ve served our community municipally, including in the local Councillor’s office, getting residents’ issues resolved and keeping them informed every step of the way. I’ll bring that same hands on approach.

Bullying in Schools

I’ll work to make sure students and educators can walk into school every day knowing they’re safe in their environment and in who they are. First, I’ll listen to the concerns families bring to me. I also believe we need stronger enforcement of anti-bullying rules. With suspensions banned for JK to Grade 3, teachers and principals need support to use in-school discipline measures. I’ll make sure families and administrators understand how the TDSB’s Progressive Discipline procedure (PR702) works within its Caring and Safe Schools policy (P051).

Class Sizes and Staffing

Education and its funding fall under provincial jurisdiction, and the current cuts make it much harder to keep class sizes small and EA staffing adequate. The TDSB voted to cap class sizes in Grades 4-8, which I support, but that decision was overturned by the provincially appointed supervisor. What’s missing from how the TDSB is funded and supported is a needs-based approach. Our community’s collective concerns will directly shape my priorities, and I'll advocate for a provincial funding formula that better reflects our community’s needs.

Special Programs and Program Access

My priority as trustee is making sure every student, regardless of how they learn, receives the support they need and deserve, and that access to specialized programs is never a barrier. That means advocating to reverse the cuts to special education and expanding specialized programs that let students explore their interests, not just at some schools but at all of them. A student’s address or circumstances should never stand in the way of getting the support they need or pursuing their interests.