My name is Melissa Baxter, and I'm running to represent Ancaster, Mount Hope, Glancaster, and Binbrook as your Hamilton-Wentworth District Wards 11 and 12 School Board Trustee. 

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My partner and I have called Ancaster home for nearly 10 years, where we are raising our two children, who attend HWDSB schools.

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As the owner of an Ancaster-based property

maintenance company, I'm proud to live and

work in the same community I hope to

represent. Whether it's supporting local

businesses, attending community events,

visiting parks and trails, cheering from the

sidelines at local sports, or shopping at the

farmers' markets, I'm actively involved in the

communities that make up Wards 11 and 12. 

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This isn't just where I'm running, it's where

we've built our life. 

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Experience That Matters

I hold a Business Diploma and bring more than

17 years of leadership experience in senior

operations, logistics, and fleet management for

a large North American transportation company. 

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Throughout my career, I managed

multi-million-dollar accounts, coordinated large

scale operations across North America, oversaw

budgets, solved complex operational challenges, and worked with people from every level of an organization. 

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Those experiences taught me the importance of accountability, financial responsibility, organization, communication, and making informed decisions based on facts, not assumptions. 

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Today, I continue to apply those same principles while operating my own business here in Ancaster. 

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A Lifetime Connected to Education

Education has always been important in my family. 

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My late father served two consecutive terms as a school trustee in Durham Region and was actively involved in our schools while my siblings and I were growing up. 

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Watching his commitment showed me that trustees should be visible, accessible, and accountable. Not just during elections, but throughout their entire term. 

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​More importantly, I serve on the HWDSB Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), volunteer in our schools, and participate on school and parent councils. Those experiences have given me the opportunity to work alongside educators while listening to the concerns and ideas of families throughout our community. 

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Why I'm Running

Like many parents, my family has experienced both the strengths and the challenges of our public education system. 

Since 2020, I've spent countless hours researching Board policies, attending meetings, asking questions, and advocating. Not only for my own children but for many other families navigating similar concerns. 

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Over the years, one message has been remarkably consistent. 

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Parents want better communication. 

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They want transparency. 

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They want follow-through. 

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They want confidence that concerns raised today won't simply disappear tomorrow. 

 

I've often experienced those same frustrations myself, including times when questions went unanswered despite reaching out through the proper channels. 

Those conversations convinced me that families deserve stronger representation. 

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My Vision

I believe every student deserves to learn in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment. 

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Good policies are important, but policies alone are not enough. 

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Parents and students deserve to know those policies are being implemented consistently, measured objectively, and producing meaningful results. 

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That means: 

• Better communication with families

• Greater transparency

• Responsible stewardship of public funds

• Evidence based decision making

• Strong support for student achievement

• Meaningful accountability

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My Commitment

If elected, I will be a trustee who listens.

I will be accessible, responsive, and committed to following through. 

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I will ask difficult questions, advocate respectfully, and work collaboratively to ensure the voices of students, parents, educators, and our community are heard. 

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I believe trust is earned through action, not promises. 

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Stay Connected

For the past four years, I've shared my thoughts on education, Board decisions, and issues affecting families through community discussions. 

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I invite you to explore my blog to learn more about the issues I care about and the approach I'll bring as your School Trustee. 

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Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and my campaign. 

​I'm committed to being a trustee who listens, follows through, and works hard every day to earn your trust. 

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I hope to earn your support this October.

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-Melissa Baxter

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