WRDSB launches strategic plan community consultation website

By Amanda Modaragamage

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has launched its Strategic Plan Community Consultations website, a new online hub designed to provide families with updates and information about the upcoming community consultation process.

The board said the consultations will help ensure the Multi-Year Strategic Plan, developed in 2022, continues to reflect WRDSB’s beliefs and values while supporting student achievement and wellbeing. The process will also provide feedback to inform future decisions. The goal of the website is to make participation in the consultation process as accessible and inclusive as possible.

“A dedicated website provides a central hub where students, staff, parents, families, caregivers and community partners can easily find information and access engagement opportunities,” said a board spokesperson.

“It reflects our commitment to transparency, openness and ensuring that every voice in our community has a meaningful way to contribute to shaping the direction of public education in Waterloo Region.”

Once feedback is collected, the board said it aims to ensure transparency in how community input is used to shape the final updates to the strategic plan.

“Transparency and accountability are central to this process,” the spokesperson said. “As feedback is gathered through surveys, focus groups and town hall sessions, staff and trustees will review and analyze the input to identify key themes and priorities.”

Regular updates will be provided at public board meetings, and a final report – including a summary of consultation findings and how they informed the strategic plan – will be presented in spring 2026.

“This ensures the community can clearly see how their voices have influenced the direction of the WRDSB’s work,” the board said in a statement.

The website also highlights the importance of student participation, emphasizing that students are at the heart of everything they do.

“The consultation process will include multiple opportunities for students to share their voices, including through surveys, facilitated focus groups and town hall meetings,” the spokesperson said.

According to the board, the community consultation process will unfold in four phases:

• Phase 1 — Planning (May-June 2025)

• Phase 2 — Implementation (July-December 2025)

• Phase 3 — Consolidation (January-February 2026)

• Phase 4 — Reporting (spring 2026)

“We are currently finalizing the survey and expect to begin the community consultation in the coming weeks, which will involve focus groups, surveys and town hall meetings,” the spokesperson said.

“It is anticipated that the consolidation of information will be completed by February 2026, with a final report to trustees in spring 2026.”

WRDSB said the public will be kept informed through regular updates shared on the consultation website, the board’s social media channels and at public meetings.