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A school board operates the province's publicly funded schools.

There are four types of school boards in Ontario:

• English Language Public School Board
• English Language Catholic School Board
• French Language Public School Board
• French Language Catholic School Board

The four school boards covering the area of Toronto are:

• Toronto District School Board
• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest
• Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud

Elected trustees make up a school board. The number of trustees on a board is based on the population in the board's area of jurisdiction. Within the City of Toronto boundaries there presently are:

• 22 English Language Public School Board trustees
• 12 English Language Catholic School Board trustees
• 3 French Language Public School Board trustees
• 2 French Language Catholic School Board trustees

The following is a brief description of the area of jurisdiction for each school board:

The Toronto District School Board (PDF) and Toronto Catholic District School Board (PDF) boundaries are the same as the boundaries for the City of Toronto.

The Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Quest (PDF) and Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud (PDF) (French Language School Boards): boundaries expand beyond the City of Toronto's boundaries.

Even though the boundaries for the two French Language School Boards exceed the City of Toronto's boundaries, people who wish to run in the Toronto wards for either of the French Language School Boards must file their nomination paper with the City of Toronto.

A school board:

• plans and establishes policies and by-laws
• builds, equips and furnishes schools
• ensures education programs meet the needs of the community
• approves textbooks and other learning materials based on a list provided by the Province
• supervises the operation of the schools and their teaching programs
• hires principals and teachers
• establishes a school council for each school
• prepares an annual budget

Refer to the Education Act for more detailed information on the school board's duties and powers.

School board trustees:

• approve annual board budget
• as part of the Board, deliberate and establish policies as authorized by the Education Act
• monitor implementation of Ministry of Education and Board policy and programs
• consult, represent and advocate for the constituents in their ward

For the position of mayor or councillor you must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age
• a resident of the City of Toronto, or
• own or lease property in the City of Toronto (or be the spouse of the owner or lessee)
• eligible to vote, and
• not disqualified to hold office by any legislation

For the position of school board trustee you must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• at least 18 years of age
• a resident in the area of jurisdiction
• eligible to vote for the school board and
• not disqualified to hold office by any legislation

To run for mayor or councillor, you must live, own or lease property in the City of Toronto. If you wish to run for councillor, you do not have to live in the ward.

To run for school board trustee you must live in the area of the jurisdiction.

In order to become a candidate you must:

• file a "Nomination Paper"
• file a "Declaration of Qualification"
• pay a nomination filing fee

The earliest you can file your nomination paper is January 4, 2010. The above forms will be available on the City of Toronto website prior to January 4, 2010.

You must bring your nomination paper to either one of the following locations during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

• Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, 1st floor, north
• Toronto Elections Office, 89 Northline Road

A nomination paper must be completed and signed by the person running for office in the presence of a Commission of Oaths.

A Commissioner of Oaths will be available, free of charge, at Toronto City Hall and Toronto Election Office at 89 Northline Road during regular business hours.

You must bring in acceptable identification and the nomination filing fee - $200 for Mayor, $100 for Councillor or School Board Trustee (cash, certified cheque or money order).

You cannot raise or spend any money on your campaign until you file your nomination paper. The earliest you can file your nomination paper is January 4, 2010.

No. In the past, potential candidates had to be nominated by a number of people who signed a nomination paper. That is no longer needed.

There is a $200 filing fee for Mayoralty candidates and a $100 filing fee for Councillor or School Trustee candidates.

The filing fee must be paid when you file your nomination paper and the payment must be:

• cash
• certified cheque or money order payable to "Treasurer, City of Toronto"