Simcoe County District School Board, representing Barrie wards 1, 2 and 3. You vote in this race only if you are a supporter of this school board.
3 certified candidates, listed alphabetically by last name.
Candidates
Wes Ayranto
Background
Longtime Barrie resident and small-business owner who has built several local businesses. Parent of two children in Simcoe County District School Board schools.
Other stated priorities
Better communication with parents and stronger accountability; keeping Barrie concerns visible on the county-wide board.
SCDSB trustee for Barrie wards 1, 2 and 3 from 2018 to 2022, when he chaired the Business and Facilities Committee. Earlier chaired the board's Parent Involvement Committee (2014-2017) and school councils at Steele Street and Eastview. Attended SCDSB schools himself.
Other stated priorities
Advocating for more provincial funding for school boards.
Grew up in Barrie's east end. Taught Grade 5 and 6 English in Japan for six years; has a master's in education technology and a bachelor's in finance and management. Has worked in finance, government and startups, and was self-employed for a decade. School council member and volunteer; coaches with the Barrie Minor Hockey Association.
Each issue lists every candidate in the same alphabetical order.
School funding and budgets
Wes Ayranto
No stated position found.
David William O'Brien
Advocate for more provincial funding for all boards; says funding has not kept pace with inflation, citing a projected $0.9 billion shortfall by 2027-28 from Ontario's Financial Accountability Office.
Build more schools from the board's capital priorities list, and raise education development charges on new development so the board can buy school sites.
Trustees should ask tough questions, demand accountability, report back to parents in plain language and stay independent of staff talking points; would not use the board for broad political statements.
Would evaluate major projects, ask the questions that lead to the best proposals, and involve students, parents, teachers and staff so the board focuses on the highest-impact initiatives.