Heather Wright/The Independent

Jane Bryce is still optimistic people can make a difference in a child’s life by becoming a public school trustee.

Bryce, who has been a public school trustee in Lambton County for over 30 years, says she won’t be running in the next municipal election. It’s a move she’s been planning for some time.

She revealed her intentions Tuesday when talking about the sweeping changes being proposed by the provincial government.

Monday, Education Minister Paul Calandra released the Putting Student Achievement First Act. The plan would limit the number of trustees at any board to 12 – the Lambton-Kent District School Board has 11. Bryce is concerned the plan may mean smaller school boards will also be asked to pare back representation.

Trustees pay will also be capped at $10,000. LK public trustees make just over $9,800 while the board chair makes over $15,000 and the vice chair over $12,000. It’s not clear if their salaries will be cut.

The legislation would also replace the positions of directors of education with a chief education officer, with a financial background. The CEO would over see the board and draft budgets. There would also be a chief education officer in charge of what happens in the classroom.

The legislation also would make attendance between 10 and 15 per cent of high school student’s final marks. The Lambton-Kent board says about 67 per cent of students attended class more than 90 per cent of the time in 2023-2024.

Bryce says she’s worried about the democratic voice will removed from education with the changes. She thinks it is important to have community members involved.

“I’ve had over 30 years, and it’s been absolutely wonderful, but it’s time to let go,” she said. “I’m disappointed that there may not be the same opportunities for someone else to bring community voice to the table and to make a difference.

“There aren’t any plaques or any certificates or anything that (say) you made a difference, but you do at that table, you do make a difference.”

Bryce says her retirement was planned some time ago.

“I’ve been waiting to hear what the minister had in mind, because I was wanting to write the school councils in my district and let them know that I was not going to run and encourage them to find somebody who would like to be in the role of governance,” she said.

Bryce adds it is about “collectively looking out for the best way forward, and always, always moving the board forward.”