✅ ADAM HARROD: Why I’m Asking Collingwood and Wasaga Beach for Your Vote

With the October 26 election just days away, I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to the residents of Collingwood and Wasaga Beach.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve knocked on doors, attended community events and had conversations with parents, grandparents, teachers, education workers and residents who care about the future of our schools.

I’ve heard encouraging stories about dedicated educators making a difference in children’s lives. I’ve also heard concerns about classroom safety, student behaviour, mental health, academic achievement and whether our schools have the resources they need.

Some conversations have been difficult. Others have reminded me just how much people value public education.

But one thing has become clear to me throughout this campaign: people want to know that someone is listening, and that their concerns won’t simply be forgotten after election day.

That’s the kind of trustee I want to be.

I’m not running because I believe I have all the answers. I’m running because I believe I have the experience, judgment and determination to ask the right questions, listen to the answers and work toward meaningful solutions.

As a father of two daughters attending local public schools, I have a personal stake in the decisions being made about education. Like every parent, I want my children to feel safe at school, receive a strong education and have opportunities to succeed.

But this isn’t just about my children. It’s about every student sitting in a classroom in Collingwood and Wasaga Beach, including those who need additional support, those who are struggling and those who may not always have someone speaking up for them.

It’s also about the people who work in our schools every day.

Teachers and education workers are being asked to meet increasingly complex needs. We cannot expect them to do everything without the appropriate resources, training and support. When staff are struggling to manage unsafe situations or students aren’t receiving the help they need, those concerns deserve serious attention.

I believe we can support students who face behavioural or mental health challenges while also protecting the right of every other child to learn in a safe, productive classroom. Those responsibilities should not be treated as competing priorities.

We also need to keep academic achievement at the centre of public education. Reading, writing, mathematics and critical thinking matter. So do physical activity, outdoor learning, hands-on experiences and helping children develop the confidence to become capable, independent young people.

These are not unreasonable expectations. They are what our children deserve.

Throughout my campaign, I’ve also spoken about responsible leadership. I know those words can sound like something every candidate says, but to me, they have a very practical meaning.

I’ve spent more than 18 years working in municipal government. In my current role as Manager of Collingwood’s By-law Services Division, I lead staff, manage budgets, work with policies and deal with decisions that affect the public.

That experience has taught me that public service isn’t always about making popular decisions. Sometimes it means asking uncomfortable questions, challenging assumptions, carefully examining how money is spent and explaining decisions to the people affected by them.

I won’t promise to fix every problem in our schools. No individual trustee can do that, and I think voters deserve better than promises a candidate cannot realistically keep.

What I can promise is that I will do my homework, take the responsibility seriously and not be afraid to speak up when something needs attention.

Our communities are also growing, and decisions being made today will shape public education for years to come. The new Wasaga Beach secondary school is one example. This long-awaited project represents an important investment in our community, and residents deserve to be kept informed as it moves forward.

Collingwood and Wasaga Beach both deserve a trustee who is engaged, accessible and prepared to advocate for their needs.

One of the comments I’ve heard during this campaign is, “I don’t have kids in school anymore.”

I understand that perspective, but I believe public education matters to all of us.

The children attending our schools today will become the people who work in our hospitals, operate local businesses, build our homes, care for our families and contribute to our communities.

We all have an interest in making sure they receive a good education.

As this campaign comes to an end, I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to speak with me, ask questions, offer encouragement or share a concern. I’ve appreciated those conversations, including the ones where people have challenged me.

If elected, I don’t intend to disappear until the next election. I want residents to know who their trustee is, how to reach me and that their concerns will be taken seriously.

On October 26, I’m asking you to put your trust in me.

Not because I have the loudest campaign or the biggest promises, but because I believe I have the experience to serve responsibly, the willingness to listen and the determination to represent our communities well.

I care about the future of our schools. I care about the people who work in them. And I care about the opportunities we’re giving the next generation.

If you share those priorities, I would be honoured to have your vote.

To everyone who has already supported me, thank you. It means a great deal to me and my family.

And to those who have not yet voted, I hope you’ll consider giving me the opportunity to represent you.

On your ballot for Simcoe County District School Board Trustee, please remember the name Adam Harrod.

Thank you, Collingwood and Wasaga Beach.

Adam Harrod
Candidate for Simcoe County District School Board Trustee

Collingwood & Wasaga Beach

Safe Schools • Strong Education • Responsible Leadership