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Head-and-shoulders portrait of Jared Kolb, short brown hair, wearing glasses and a white patterned shirt.

Candidate for School Board Trustee

Jared Kolb

Toronto District School Board Ward 5

Candidate details

Email
info@votekolb.ca

Issue answers

Trustees, the Board, and the Province

What's the most important thing you'd act on as a school board trustee, and what experience or strengths would help you make it happen?

My top priority would be strengthening student success by putting more support where it matters most: in classrooms and schools. I would advocate for adequate staffing, strong special education and mental health supports, and evidence-based programs that help students thrive. With nearly 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, a track record of building partnerships and driving results, and my experience as a parent and school council co-chair, I know how to listen, collaborate, and turn community priorities into action.

Bullying in Schools

Bullying and discrimination are concerns raised in many school communities. What role do you believe a School Board Trustee should play in addressing these issues, and what actions would you support?

Bullying and discrimination undermine student well-being and achievement. As Trustee, I would champion safe, inclusive schools where every student feels they belong. That means supporting strong prevention programs, ensuring incidents are addressed consistently and transparently, expanding mental health supports, and providing staff with the training and resources they need to respond effectively. I would also elevate student and parent voices to help build respectful school communities where all children can thrive.

Class Sizes and Staffing

Some school communities have raised concerns about teacher and educational-assistant (EA) staffing levels and class sizes. What role would you take as a School Board Trustee in addressing these concerns, and what would your priorities be?

Teacher and EA staffing levels directly affect student success, inclusion, and classroom well-being. As Trustee, I would advocate for more frontline supports in schools, prioritize investments that put teachers and EAs where they are needed most, and push for transparent reporting on class sizes and staffing pressures. My focus would be ensuring every student receives the attention and support they need while making every education dollar count and protecting resources closest to the classroom.

Special Programs and Program Access

School boards make decisions about the range and distribution of specialized programs, including special education, language programs, and arts programming. What would you prioritize as a School Board Trustee in how these programs are offered and accessed?

Specialized programs should be accessible, high-quality, and responsive to student needs, regardless of where a student lives. As Trustee, I would prioritize supports for Model Schools and equitable access to special education, language, arts, and other specialized programs while reducing barriers created by geography, transportation, or limited spaces. My focus would be on supporting early intervention and ensuring resources are distributed fairly so every student can access programs that help them reach their full potential.

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