Michael Ford says he knows his last name helped him win as school trustee in Uncle Rob’s north Etobicoke ward, but insists he’s his own man — even at 20 years old.

“I share some of my uncle’s values but I’m my own person; I come from my own generation and I believe being young and able to relate to students is critical for representing students,” said Ford, who beat incumbent John Hastings as trustee for the Toronto District School Board.

Just two years after graduating from Richview Collegiate, the newest Ford politico called school safety a “huge issue” after the recent stabbing and shootings at schools in his ward.

“We’ve had devastating incidents in the last month and a half where youth were killed and that should never be happening,” said Ford. “No one can fix it on their own; it’s a group effort with students, teachers, principals, my colleagues on the board and communities, and I want to work with everyone to address it.

“But metal detectors are not the answer. I don’t believe in turning our educational institutions into fortresses.”

He said while some may pre-judge him by his famous uncles; “I want people to know me for who I am; I work with everyone. We should all keep an open mind,” said Michael, who told reporters Tuesday he “100 per cent supports” the rights of gay and transgendered students in schools.

“I’m a strong believer in respecting those with different values and beliefs,” he told the Star in an interview. “It’s not about tunnel vision but about working with people from different parties and affiliations.”

Michael Ford originally ran for city council in the ward until Rob Ford left the mayoral race to fight cancer and took over that council race, freeing the younger Ford to set his sights on the job of school trustee.

“I’ve always had a passion for public service; I was a member of my high school student council for four years.”

He studied leadership for a semester at Wilfrid Laurier University and took a year of business studies at Humber College before quitting to enter politics.

The son of Rob’s sister Kathy and her ex-husband Ennio Stirpe, who is serving time in prison for a knife attack, Michael Ford said he has always felt part of the Ford side of the family and introduced himself as Michael Ford long before changing his name legally to Ford this spring. He lives with his grandmother Diane Ford.

“I got the passion for public service from watching my Uncle Rob at council chambers; when I sat in the crowd and watched I thought, ‘Wow, one day . . . ,’” said Ford.

“I’m very excited to get into the school board and make a positive difference in the city.”