HWDSB trustee for Wards 1 and 2 resigns from role

Wards 1 and 2 are without a public school board trustee after Christine Bingham resigned from the role.

The long-time trustee announced she was leaving during a Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) meeting on Monday.

"This experience has been extremely rewarding and it is with regret that I step down from the role of Trustee from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board effective immediately," she said in a media release shared by the board that same evening.

"I do not take this decision lightly, but due to personal and family circumstances, I have submitted my resignation."

Bingham, who was first elected in 2014, did not expand on her reasons for leaving the board after seven years.

"At this time, I am requesting privacy and thank you in advance for respecting these wishes," she said.

HWDSB chair Dawn Danko said the resignation was received with "sincere regret" pointing to the former trustee's "passion and dedication for quality learning supports" that benefit all students.

"Christine has been a strong advocate for special education, Indigenous students, international students, and school renewal, leading to system changes that have improved education across our system," Danko wrote in the statement.

She added that the HWDSB thanks Bingham for her work and wishes her the best.

Bingham's profile on the board website shows she was a member of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Community Advisory Committee and on the Supervised Alternative Learning Committee, among others.

For her part, Bingham said it had been a privilege to serve as a trustee.

"I have advocated for supports that raise the voices of all students," she said. "My passion has been in the areas of supporting our most vulnerable students, including those living in low-income neighbourhoods and those requiring special education services."

A spokesperson for HWDSB said discussion about whether Bingham will be replaced in a byelection or by appointment will take place on Dec. 6.