September 2026
Dear Parents, Students, Staff, and Residents,
After eight years serving the residents of Don Valley North as Trustee, I will be concluding my service at the end of this term.
My dream of serving as a school trustee began when I was in Grade 11. At the time, I had the opportunity to meet my own trustee and learn about the role she played in shaping our schools and advocating for students. It was the first time I truly understood how trustees could make a big difference in public education and in the lives of students.
From that moment, I hoped that one day, when I was ready, I would have the opportunity to serve my community in the same way. That dream came true in 2018 when I was first elected to represent Don Valley North as Trustee at the TDSB. I was excited to take on this role and felt that I finally had the chance to give to my community what my own trustee had worked hard to give me. My commitment was that, for eight years across two terms, I would work as hard as I am able to defend and improve public education so students could build a better future. After that, I would make room for new ideas, new voices, and new leadership. This year is the end of that commitment.
Looking back, I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together.
I was proud to support the implementation of Ontario’s renewed Mathematics, Science, and Health and Physical Education curricula, as well as the development of the TDSB’s first comprehensive Math Achievement Action Plan, which strengthened mathematics instruction and student achievement across the system.
We expanded opportunities for students pursuing excellence in mathematics, science, and technology, including the doubling of Georges Vanier Secondary School’s STEM+ program and the introduction of the local Math, Science, and Technology (MST) program at A.Y. Jackson Secondary School. Today, Don Valley North has some of the most highly recognized secondary schools by the University of Waterloo for education outcomes.
Building on that same commitment to strengthening student learning, I also fought to ensure every possible dollar at the TDSB was spent to improve education for students. As Chair of the TDSB Audit Committee, I worked with our team to improve the procurement and contract management process, which resulted in more than $5 million annual savings that would be reinvested into classrooms. With savings like these, I not only preserved TDSB’s International Language Programs for our diverse student body, but also developed, funded, and introduced Ontario’s first public school class size cap for Grades 4 to 8. This cap was set to begin in 2025 until it was unfortunately removed when the TDSB came under Provincial supervision.
We also grew closer together as a community around public education. I deeply appreciate how many of you participated in our ward forums, meetings, and online discussion groups, where parents from across Ward 13 came together to discuss issues affecting our schools and students.
Many of you also felt comfortable coming to me directly with your concerns, questions, ideas, and suggestions. The conversations were not always easy, but they were always meaningful. The candour, passion, and commitment you brought to those discussions reflected how deeply our community cares about our children, and I am thankful to have been part of those conversations.
Looking back on these eight years, having the privilege to serve as your Trustee has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Thank you for your trust, your support, and the countless conversations we shared along the way.
It has been an extraordinary journey to serve the students, families, and residents of Don Valley North. May our children chart their own futures and find successes that are wholly their own.
Sincerely,
James Li
Trustee, Don Valley North
Toronto District School Board