Voters head to the polls Monday to elect a trustee for a downtown ward that encompasses schools from Regent Park to Rosedale.

The Ward 14 seat was held for two decades by Sheila Ward, who died in February.

The byelection is one of four the board will hold this year, one last January after former chair Shaun Chen was elected to federal government. Two are scheduled for July, one to replace Michael Ford, who is running for city council, and the other to replace Howard Kaplan, who died in April.

The board, in total, has 22 trustees, and with these byelections, will have a majority of newcomers sitting around the boardroom table.

“We look forward to welcoming a new member to the Toronto District School Board following Monday’s byelection,” said board Chair Robin Pilkey.

“I’m pleased that the people of Toronto Centre-Rosedale will have their voices heard at the boardroom table on Wednesday as we look to vote on a number of important long-term items.”

Candidates include: Mahbubul Alam, Leeann Dusome, Adam Faux, Michael Guenther, Kuga Kasilingam, Erica Kelly, Li Koo, Herb Love, Chris Moise, Bob Phillips, Rutul Sharma and Krista Taylor.

The Star asked the Ward 14 candidates to submit a short explanation of why they are running for trustee, and to outline their qualifications. These are their answers as provided to the Star, in full:

Mahbubul Alam: I am running to bring back the focus on our students and their learning experience. Our children deserve the best education that society can provide. As a father of two kids attending public school in the area, I want to ensure that we have a public education system that best serves all the children of our community.

Qualifications: As an elected leader of a community based non-profit organization, I am actively involved in advocacy efforts to create better working conditions for low income Torontonians by working in collaboration with city councillors and other community leaders. Previously, as a student union leader during my years at college, I worked tirelessly to positively impact the lives of students by giving them structure, support and inspiration to excel.

Leanne Dusome: Did not provide information by press time.

Adam Faux: Volunteering, and working with kids for the TDSB has inspired me to become more involved in the vibrant community that I live in with my family. I love inner-city Toronto. Trustee, is a non-partisan position that requires listening to constituents, and representing their concerns and first-hand experience to the Board. I will be present, visible, and accountable. A Trustee’s job is to focus on student achievement and well-being. Constituents make policy.

Qualifications: I have been Vice President at Windmill Line Housing Co-operative, and I am currently a Board Member. I am a Masters student at York University researching Music and Diversity. I have been Co-Chair of my daughter’s school Parent Council, and the Alternative School Advisory Committee. I have been Lunchroom Supervisor with kids at inner-city schools. I spearheaded the search for a new principal, alongside two other parents, Superintendent Louis Papathanasakis, and Sheila Ward.

Michael Guenther: STOP THE SALE OF COMMUNITY ASSETS: Schools are in dire need of repair. TDSB wants to sell off schools and playgrounds. My solution: lease them out and encourage all level of governments to invest infrastructure money into schools. Once we sell our assets, they’re gone. STOP BULLYING: TDSB says “talk to your principal” I say: zero tolerance for verbal and physical abuse. EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE FUNDING: allow corporations to contribute towards nutrition, athletic, music and arts programs.

Qualifications: I am a non-partisan candidate. Fiscal, social and civic responsibility were instilled in me at an early age by a father who served as a school board trustee for 20 years and a mother who was a strong advocate for children’s rights. I believe that parents, children and the community should have a voice within our school system, and my role as a TDSB Trustee would be to make sure your voices are heard.

Kuga Kasilingam: I decided to run because the issues facing the board shows a need for people who are passionate about building bridges and seeking consensus. As a member of School councils and other inter city Parent academies, I gained deep understanding of the important role that schools play in our community. I will work for youth employment, after school programs, seniors involvement, better security and creating respect and understanding between different diverse groups in our community. My back ground in financial management will surely help to balance the budget of the Board while providing transparency to the public. I do have support and endorsements across the party lines as I feel this position should be non-partisan, but I did not seek any endorsements and Donations from Unions as collective bargaining is now out of the Board and rests with the Province.

Qualifications: Completed Certified Management Accountant (1992), CGMA, FCMA, LLM, Canadian Securities institute Certificate, Past Chair and Treasurer of School council, Past Treasurer of CPAC and Chair of Model School Parent Academy, Participated and presented papers at School Board Conferences such as Model School, PIAC, Served as Parent member of TDSB committees, namely Inner City Advisory Committee and Equity Policy Advisory Committee.

Erica Kelly: Could not be reached by press time.

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Li Koo: As a parent, and a public education advocate, I have the experience to be a strong voice for our community. There are challenges at the TDSB, and I want to be part of the solution. I will work with parents, teachers, students, and communities to fix our schools, fight for quality extra curricular programming, and create more community hubs that will keep our neighbourhoods clean, green and safe.

Qualifications: I have a Master’s in Education, business and non-profit experience. I have worked in government and know how to get things done. I have the support of current and past local parliamentarians including Glen Murray, Bill Morneau, Chrystia Freeland, Bill Graham, and George Smitherman, as well community leaders including Reverend John Joseph Mastrandrea at Metropolitan United Church and former TDSB Chair Donna Cansfield.

Herb Love: Could not be reached by press time.

Chris Moise: Public education is the great equalizer. I experienced school as a new Canadian, someone with a noticeable accent, and as a boy realizing that I was gay. It was hard. As Canada becomes increasingly diverse and as we see a new rise in intolerance and related violence and bullying, I want Toronto’s schools to be inclusive spaces where all students can be welcome and find belonging and inclusion.

Qualifications: For 17 years, Toronto Centre-Rosedale has been my home. I work at St. Michael’s Hospital and own a pet supply business. I love our community and want to ensure that we continue to invest in our youth, schools, and public spaces. I have been endorsed by city councillors Kristyn Wong-Tam and Pam McConnell and residents, including Helen Kennedy and Cathy Crowe. Plus lots of high fives from students who aren’t old enough to vote.

Bob Phillips: “Having grown up as an Aboriginal in the Toronto school system, I understand the unique challenges facing students in a diverse community like Ward 14. At 72 with a depth of academic qualifications and educational experience I am running to protect student interests, to assist in the formulation of plans for the Board and to help set priorities ensuring that all of our students realize their potential and succeed in an inclusive and welcoming environment.”

Qualifications: I approach the Trustee position with 25 years administrative experience as a now retired Property Manager, a PhD in Indigenous Studies and seven years of university level teaching experience that when added to an earlier three years running a commercial Technical Training School provides insight into the educational system. I am also constantly in TDSB classrooms with the KAIROS blanket exercise educational programs and the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Learning Through The Arts program.

Rutul Sharma: Rutul has always been an advocate for education. Having studied & worked globally, he’s had first-hand experience with education abroad. And it is very competitive, with parents trying to give their children an edge in any way they can. He feels that the TDSB can do a lot more, and wants to see it be the best it can be. Students deserve a well-balanced education relevant in today’s world while preparing them for the future.

Qualifications: Raised in Toronto, educated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at the TDSB and in Chemical Engineering at Ryerson University, Rutul Sharma also holds an International MBA from Japan, Spain and Brazil. He is a professor, mentor, entrepreneur, and business consultant with process improvement/project management experience in industries such as construction, finance, technology, arts, etc. Recently, he’s been advising businesses on branding, growth and profitability, and runs a camp that promotes healthy living for children.

Krista Taylor: I am running in this election because TDSB Parents and Teachers asked me to be our Trustee. After careful consideration I agreed. I am ready to expand my commitment to public education and our TDSB school communities. John Malloy and Robin Pilkey are driving a new culture at the Board: Improved Communication with Parents. I am eager to follow their lead in Ward 14 by connecting our schools through our first Ward Council.

Qualifications: My corporate business skills are an asset in our schools and at the Board. I am a TDSB Committee volunteer (Development, Playground Revitalization, Literacy, Diversity, Student Nutrition and Fundraising) with service as Co-Chair of School Council and of the TDSB Student Nutrition Advisory Committee since 2013. I work effectively with students, parents, teachers, administration and community members to get results. My campaign is intentionally non-partisan. I am proud to be endorsed by parents and community members.