Stephen Blais, Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) trustee for Orléans-Cumberland, is urging the board to elect fewer trustees in time for the 2010 municipal election.

Blais introduced a motion at a February 24th board meeting where he asked that the OCSB review its boundaries for trustees in hopes of reducing the number of elected officials by three in a year's time.

"The decline in enrolment and projected decline in future years allows our board the opportunity to reduce our ranks by three trustees," said Blais. "While the savings will be nominal, we will be reaffirming our commitment to fiscal responsibility in these tough economic times."

Blais said that with the amount the board could save by reducing trustees, the money can be used towards helping students with additional materials for academic success, and will put the Catholic board in line with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) in terms of trustees serving students.

Currently, the OCDSB trustees represent, on average, 5,800 students, while each Catholic trustee represents 3,900 students. By reducing trustees, OCSB trustees will be representing 5,600 students.

"There really is a need for this, a need to reform," said Blais.

Blais' motion has already received backing from one other trustee, Thérèse Maloney Cousineau.

"I am urging all of my colleagues to support trustee Blais' efforts to reform the governance structure of the board," she said.

Blais said he also sent a letter to Kathleen Wynne, the Ontario minister of education, asking her to introduce limits for school board trustees.

"I feel this needed at the school board level," said Blais. "It's meant to be short-term and not a career. You have an idea and you to formulate it into something better, but if you can't achieve it, maybe it's time for someone else to step in."

Blais' motion will be debated when board members reconvene on March 24th.