Public school board trustee for Amherstburg and LaSalle resigns

For the time being, the Amherstburg/LaSalle trustee position on the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) is vacant.

Public board trustees officially accepted the resignation of their now former colleague Ron LeClair at the Oct. 21 regular board meeting. LeClair had actually sent his letter of resignation Sept. 15, with the intention of it taking effect Sept. 30.

“As you are aware the governance landscape for education has significantly changed, resulting in my decision to submit my resignation,” LeClair stated in his letter that was addressed to board chair Gale Hatfield.

A phone message left for LeClair was not returned as of press time.

LeClair continued by saying that rather than focus on his decision to resign, he wanted to highlight on what he believed were his accomplishments as a trustee.

One of the items listed by LeClair as an accomplishment was “my leadership in envisioning the merger of two schools in Amherstburg, resulting in the build of North Star High School. This school includes a significant commitment to skill trade development.”

Other accomplishments he listed included the addition on Legacy Oak Trail School in LaSalle, advocacy for the inclusion of robotics in school curriculum, advocacy for the placement of defibrillators in schools, a commitment to keeping the track at Sandwich Secondary School “as the primary track for the board, ensuring it is maintained to Olympic standards,” and support of special education.

LeClair also said he served as chair and vice chair at points during his tenure. He was also a member of the Indigenous Education Protocol committee, which “introduced a framework for Indigenous education, a first in its kind in Ontario.”

“It has been an honour to serve the community and supporting Every Learner, Every Day,” LeClair’s letter concluded.

LeClair first became a public board trustee after the 2014 election and kept his position following the 2018 and 2022 elections. His resignation is the second this term for the GECDSB as Sarah Cipkar resigned in 2024. Cipkar was trustee in Windsor wards 3, 4 and 10 and the GECDSB later appointed University of Windsor student Malek Mekawi to replace her for the remainder of the term.

There was no immediate decision as to how the vacancy left by LeClair will be handled. Board chair Gale Hatfield indicated during the meeting that it will be handled at a future meeting.

Public school board trustee for Amherstburg and LaSalle resigns

By Ron Giofu