All trustee races

Public school trustee: Wards 4, 5 and 6

Simcoe County District School Board, representing Barrie wards 4, 5 and 6. You vote in this race only if you are a supporter of this school board.

3 certified candidates, listed alphabetically by last name.

Candidates

Beth Mouratidis

Background
SCDSB trustee for wards 4, 5 and 6 from 2018 to 2022; chaired the human resources committee and sat on the First Nation education advisory committee. Involved in education and school issues for more than 20 years, including school councils.
Other stated priorities
Encouraging parents to have their children's eyes tested.
Public record
Not yet reviewed.
Contact
Profile sources: City of Barrie [S001]; BarrieToday [S177]

Dana Powell

Incumbent
Background
SCDSB trustee for wards 4, 5 and 6 since 2022; elected board chair for 2025. Licensed paralegal with more than 30 years in legal services; municipal prosecutor with the City of Brampton. Barrie resident since 1999.
Other stated priorities
No stated priorities found.
Public record
Not yet reviewed.
Contact
Profile sources: City of Barrie [S001]; BarrieToday [S178]

Candice Thomas

Background
Has worked in healthcare for 17 years; founder of Evergreen Wellness Studio, a health-care clinic in Barrie. Leads Flora's Walk Barrie, which has raised more than $80,000 for perinatal mental health. Parent of two.
Other stated priorities
No stated priorities found.
Public record
Not yet reviewed.
Contact
Profile sources: City of Barrie [S001]; BarrieToday [S176]

Compare positions

Each issue lists every candidate in the same alphabetical order.

School funding and budgets

Beth Mouratidis
No stated position found.
Dana Powell
Responsible stewardship of public money.
Source: BarrieToday [S178]
Candice Thomas
Trustees are stewards of public resources; students should stay at the heart of decisions about how they are used.
Source: BarrieToday [S176]

School capacity and new schools

Beth Mouratidis
No stated position found.
Dana Powell
No stated position found.
Candice Thomas
No stated position found.

Special education and student supports

Beth Mouratidis
No stated position found.
Dana Powell
Strongly supports students with special education needs and appropriate resources for students who need extra help.
Source: BarrieToday [S178]
Candice Thomas
Earlier identification and intervention so children don't fall through the cracks or wait until a crisis.
Source: BarrieToday [S176]

Student safety and mental health

Beth Mouratidis
Has delegated to the board for a head lice policy and for proper student supervision at recess; wants policies that put students first.
Source: BarrieToday [S177]
Dana Powell
Safe and supportive schools.
Source: BarrieToday [S178]
Candice Thomas
Safe and supported schools; says a child's need for support and other children's right to a safe classroom must both be met.
Source: BarrieToday [S176]

Busing and transportation

Beth Mouratidis
No stated position found.
Dana Powell
No stated position found.
Candice Thomas
No stated position found.

Programs, curriculum and parents’ role

Beth Mouratidis
No stated position found.
Dana Powell
Strong classroom instruction; parents should have a meaningful voice in their children's education.
Source: BarrieToday [S178]
Candice Thomas
No stated position found.

Transparency and board accountability

Beth Mouratidis
Says she attended meetings regularly and asked questions as a trustee, and would make trustee duties a priority over other work.
Source: BarrieToday [S177]
Dana Powell
Boards must listen, operate transparently and be accountable; trustees should ask questions and exercise independent judgment.
Source: BarrieToday [S178]
Candice Thomas
Stronger communication with families; listen to educators and school staff as well as parents.
Source: BarrieToday [S176]