WRDSB trustees appoint former principal, teacher as new chair

The board of trustees at the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has voted to put a new face into the chair’s seat.

Maedith Radlein has been elected as chair of the board after an official announcement at a WRDSB meeting on Monday.

“I want to share my gratitude to my colleagues for your trust and confidence in selecting me to represent the WRDSB as chairperson,” said Radlein in a statement on the WRDSB website. “Alongside Vice-Chair Weston and all trustees, we will work together towards our shared goal of supporting the achievement and well-being of every student we serve. I want all WRDSB students to know that with every point we discuss, and with every decision we make, we are committed to centring your needs, and modelling respectful and constructive debate.”

Radlein takes over for now Vice-Chair Joanne Weston, who was appointed to the chair role back in 2022.

“As I embark on my third term as Vice-Chair, I look forward to supporting Chair Radlein and the WRDSB Board of Trustees,” said Vice-Chair Weston in a statement on the WRDSB website. “Together, we are focused on furthering the academic achievement and well-being of students, the well-being of staff, and supporting families and the community.”

Radlein came to Waterloo Region from Jamaica in 1987, and spent years working as a teacher, principal, and a member of the school council at Bluevale Collegiate Institute before retiring.

Director of Education jeewan chanicka noted that although Radlein and Weston are stepping into different roles on the board of trustees, they’ve both acted as leaders for some time.