Maureen Larkin

Trustees, the Board, and the Province

My first priority is to be accessible and accountable to my constituents. Figuring out how to best advocate for your child within the education system can be overwhelming. Having worked as a Constituency Assistant to my local MPP, I have extensive experience helping community members navigate complex government systems and advocate for themselves. Every day, I helped constituents understand their rights and options, connect with services, and develop strategies to resolve problems. I will bring that same approach to my role as Trustee.

Bullying in Schools

Bullying and discrimination have no place in our schools. My responsibility as Trustee will be to make sure that the TDSB's core policies on bullying and discrimination are actually working for students and families. That starts with listening. I will maintain a strong presence in Ward 5 school communities and work with parents and caregivers, educators, and Principals to identify how board policy can best support safer schools. I will also advocate for the provincial funding necessary to make safer and more inclusive schools possible.

Class Sizes and Staffing

Students learn best when they have the attention and support they need to succeed. That makes adequate staffing levels and manageable class sizes priorities for me. As Trustee, I will communicate with parents and caregivers, educators, and administrators to gain in-depth knowledge of each Ward 5 school’s staffing needs, then work with my fellow Trustees to identify where local needs fit into system-wide priorities, which includes paying meticulous attention to the TDSB's staffing allocation budget.

Special Programs and Program Access

I believe that, in a publicly-funded education system, specialized program opportunities need to be made as widely available as possible. As a Trustee, I would make equity and access the guiding principles for specialized programs. Our school boards need to fund specialty programs in every neighbourhood, so as to maximize equitable access to these opportunities. I will advocate for sustained provincial investment in education so that specialized programs can be made more truly inclusive and accessible.