✅ Adam Harrod | Responsible Leadership: What Should Residents Expect From a School Board Trustee?

My name is Adam Harrod, and I am a candidate for Simcoe County District School Board Trustee representing Collingwood and Wasaga Beach in the 2026 Municipal Election.

Over the course of this campaign, I want to do more than simply introduce myself. I also want to share how I would approach the role of trustee and the responsibilities that come with representing our communities at the school board table.

A school board trustee is not responsible for the day-to-day operation of individual schools, and an individual trustee cannot independently direct staff or make decisions on behalf of the Board.

Trustees do, however, have important responsibilities.

They establish policy direction, approve budgets, consider how resources are allocated, respond to community concerns, represent the perspectives of their constituents, and make decisions collectively as a Board.

For me, that is where Responsible Leadership begins.

It means being prepared.

It means reading reports, understanding the information behind recommendations, asking questions when something is unclear, and carefully considering how decisions may affect students, families, staff, and taxpayers.

It also means recognizing that responsible governance is about more than simply approving recommendations placed in front of you.

Trustees should be willing to ask:

– Are resources reaching the areas where they are most needed?

– Are our schools providing safe and effective learning environments?

– Are students receiving the supports they need to succeed?

– Are education workers being provided with the tools and resources necessary to do their jobs effectively?

– Are decisions and spending producing the results the Board expected?

– And are families and communities receiving clear information about the decisions being made?

My professional career has required me to work with many of these same principles.

For more than 18 years, I have worked in municipal government and municipal law enforcement. In my current role as Manager of the Town of Collingwood’s By-law Services Division, my responsibilities include budgeting, policy development, service reviews, public engagement, complaint resolution, municipal governance, and preparing reports and recommendations for Council.

I have learned that good governance requires both listening and questioning.

You need to hear different perspectives, examine the evidence, understand the financial and operational implications of decisions, and be willing to ask difficult questions when necessary.

I would bring that same approach to the role of School Board Trustee.

My campaign continues to focus on three areas:

SAFE SCHOOLS • STRONG EDUCATION • RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP

In the weeks ahead, I will continue sharing more about each of these priorities and about issues affecting students, families, education workers, and school communities across Collingwood and Wasaga Beach.

I also welcome questions, concerns, and perspectives from residents. Good representation begins with listening to the people you represent.

Adam Harrod
Candidate for School Board Trustee – Collingwood & Wasaga Beach

Safe Schools • Strong Education • Responsible Leadership

Facebook: www.facebook.com/adamharrodtrustee
Email: adamharrodtrustee@gmail.com
Phone: (705) 429-4150

❤️ Thanks, Adam, for your donation to Hope Chapel.