Candidate 2026
TVDSB Trustee · London Wards 1, 11, 12 & 14
Smita for
TVDSB Trustee
A fresh voice for Thames Valley schools — rooted in community, driven by equity.
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Candidate 2026
A fresh voice for Thames Valley schools — rooted in community, driven by equity.
My name is Smita Tajne, and I'm running to be your Thames Valley District School Board Trustee for Wards 1, 11, 12, and 14. My daughter is 7 years old and sits in a TVDSB classroom right now. Every morning I drop her off, I think about the same things every parent thinks about — Is she safe? Is she supported? Is she being seen?
Six commitments I will bring to the TVDSB board table — because every child's future depends on it.
From newcomer students still learning English to kids needing extra academic support — no child falls through the cracks.
Schools in Old East Village will receive the same attention and investment as those in Westminster. Equity is a budget decision.
With a $1.1B budget under provincial supervision, TVDSB needs trustees who understand numbers and demand accountability.
I know firsthand how isolating a new system feels. Every family deserves to feel welcome in a language they understand.
A child who isn't well cannot learn. Earlier intervention and reduced stigma in every school across our wards.
Students need pathways that match the real economy — trades, technology, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
Every ward has its own identity, its own schools, and its own pressures. Here is what I hear from families — and exactly how I will address it at the board table.
A diverse, historic community with older school infrastructure, high rental density, and one of London's largest newcomer populations.
A growing suburban ward with new development, young families, and schools struggling to keep pace with rapid population growth.
A mid-city ward that is economically mixed, serving both established families and newer immigrant communities.
A largely residential ward on London's south edge, growing rapidly with young families expecting well-resourced, modern schools.
In April 2025, the Province of Ontario placed Thames Valley District School Board under supervision — a direct response to financial mismanagement and governance failures. This is not a minor administrative issue. It signals that the systems meant to protect our children's education have broken down. Sidelining elected trustees does not fix the root problems — and families in Wards 1, 11, 12, and 14 deserve a trustee who will say so plainly.
Ontario appointed a provincial supervisor after concerns about spending and governance reached a breaking point. Elected trustees were effectively sidelined — but sidelining trustees doesn't fix underlying problems.
Independent investigations revealed troubling patterns in senior administration spending. Public money meant for classrooms was not always reaching students — demanding structural reform, not just a change of faces.
TVDSB faces a deep structural deficit driven by chronic provincial underfunding. Moving money around or pointing fingers will not fix a fundamentally broken classroom funding model.
Many families in our four wards feel unheard by a board too inward-looking to notice. Rebuilding trust requires trustees who show up, listen, and report back — not just at election time.
Before I sit at the board table, I want to hear from you. This short survey helps me understand the priorities of families in Wards 1, 11, 12, and 14 — your answers will directly shape how I advocate for your schools.
📋 Take the Community Survey →Opens in a new tab · Takes about 3 minutes · Your input shapes my platform
Essential resources every TVDSB family should know — from mental health supports to bus status and the parent portal.
Municipal Election Day — London, Ontario
Polls open 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Running a community-driven campaign takes resources. Every donation — big or small — helps us reach more families and make sure our voice is heard.
Interac e-Transfer
Quick, secure, and no fees. Send your e-Transfer to:
donations@smitatvdsb.comMax individual contribution: $1,200 CAD · Municipal Elections Act, 1996
"Behind every budget line and policy decision is a child's future."
Whether you want to volunteer, put up a lawn sign, or share our message with a neighbour — every bit of support matters. I'd love to hear from you.
London, Ontario · Wards 1, 11, 12 & 14
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