Two newly appointed public school board trustees in Windsor-Essex are bringing distinct professional backgrounds to the table with a shared goal: preparing students for a rapidly changing job market. Their arrival coincides with the board's significant challenge of addressing a multi-million dollar operating deficit.
Industry Expertise Meets Educational Governance
Chandrika Abhang, selected to represent Leamington and Point Pelee, was sworn in on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, and attended her first Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) meeting that evening. Abhang's motivation stems directly from her career in the automotive sector, where she currently serves as a director of global strategy and partnerships at a Michigan-based company and holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering.
"The predominant reason for me to apply was ensuring student well being, achievement and future readiness," Abhang stated. Having coached high school students in STEM fields, she identified a critical disconnect. "What I realized is being in the industry, there is a gap between what happens in the educational institutions and what’s needed in the industry … I want to bridge that gap," she explained. Abhang aims to leverage her industry insight to ensure the board's strategies align with global economic shifts affecting students.
Veteran Educator Returns to the Board Table
Joining Abhang is fellow new trustee Cheryl Lovell, appointed to represent LaSalle and Amherstburg. Lovell is a retired educator with over three decades of experience with the GECDSB, primarily teaching in elementary schools in her communities. She brings prior governance experience, having served 12 years as a trustee before 2018 and holding a leadership role with the Ontario Public School Boards' Association.
"Education has been basically my whole life," Lovell said. She believes her extensive background will provide valuable perspective during discussions and decision-making for the remainder of the board's term.
Steering Through Financial Challenges
The new trustees begin their roles at a pivotal financial moment for the Windsor-Essex public school board. The board is confronting a $6.4-million operating deficit. In November, trustees voted to cut more than 60 positions as part of a restructuring plan mandated by the Ontario Ministry of Education. This plan aims to return the board to a balanced budget after it submitted a deficit budget representing 1.4 per cent of its operating allocation.
Their combined expertise—one in aligning education with future industry demands and the other in deep-rooted educational practice—will be tested as they help navigate these fiscal constraints while striving to enhance student preparedness for the workforce of tomorrow.
