Robert Kolosowski
Robert Kolosowski
YRDSB Trustee for Richmond Hill Wards 1, 2 & 4
Introduction
Dear friends and neighbours,
As one of thirteen trustees elected to govern the York Region District School Board, I share in the responsibility of ensuring that the Board fulfills its mandate to provide high-quality public education for the students of York Region. Trustees provide governance and oversight by establishing policies and by-laws, approving budgets, and hiring the Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to my responsibilities as Trustee, I was appointed to serve as Chair of the Finance and Property Standing Committee. I also serve as a member of the Policy and By-law Standing Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Joint Board Consortium.
Every decision we make affects the lives of tens of thousands of people. Having sworn an Oath of Office to faithfully carry out these responsibilities, I remain committed to a collaborative approach to governance that prioritizes practical solutions over politics. My focus will always remain on the core mission of public education: ensuring safe learning environments and providing every student with an excellent education.
Sincerely,
Robert Kolosowski
P.S. This is my personal website. For YRDSB-related inquiries, visit my YRDSB web page by clicking this link.
Schools Represented
NEW: Dr. Bette Stephenson Secondary School, in Oak Ridges is opening in September of 2027!
Accomplishments with YRDSB
✓ New Oak Ridges High School
The new Dr. Bette Stephenson Secondary School is fully approved, funded and under construction. Opening in September 2027, it will help reduce overcrowding.
✓ Restored the YRP Partnership
In 2021 the YRDSB abolished the police partnership with the YRP. In 2026 I proposed a motion to bring back the partnership and trustees approved it. Officers will once again allowed to deliver educational presentations about safety.
✓ More Funding for Our Schools
As Chair of the YRDSB Finance Committee, I worked to approve a balanced 2026–2027 budget that directs 97% of staffing funding to frontline workers, including teachers and special education support staff.
✓ Guest Speaker Transparency
Parents deserve to know what external materials are being presented to their children at school. I helped implement a new policy requiring advanced parental notification and age-appropriate content.
✓ Regulating AI Use
Artificial intelligence should support learning, not replace it. We implemented guidelines governing the use of artificial intelligence in schools to protect academic integrity and keep students focused.
✓ Traffic Safety Barriers
We conducted a full review of traffic safety near schools and childcare facilities, and installed physical barriers to better safeguard children from vehicle traffic.
Robert's Priorities
Robert Kolosowski's top priority is to keep political activism out of our education system and focus on what really matters: improving education and ensuring school safety.
Robert's full plan for his next term will be published in October 2026. To share your input and ideas please contact Robert by email.
Endorsements
Join your neighbours in voting to re-elect Robert Kolosowski. Robert is the only candidate who is supported by community leaders and education experts.
Costas Menegakis
Member of Parliament,
Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill
Michael Parsa
Member of Provincial Parliament,
Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill
Vincent Ho
Member of Parliament,
Richmond Hill South
Daisy Wai
Member of Provincial Parliament
Richmond Hill
Ron Lynn
Chair
York Region District School Board
Allan Tam
Former Chair,
York Region District School Board
Mike Ramsay
Trustee,
Waterloo Region District School Board
Pamela McCarthy
Vice-Chair
York Region District School Board
Dr. Weidong Pei
Trustee,
Toronto District School Board
Alex Yuan
Former Director,
Education Quality and Accountability Office
Carol Nerling
Former Secondary School Principal,
York Region District School Board
Carol Chan
Autism IBI Specialist and Former Trustee,
York Region District School Board
Bruce Yu
Former Student Trustee
York Region District School Board
Shelley Wister-Smith
Former Branch President in District 16,
Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation
Dr. Reza Sadjadi
Former Professor of Engineering,
Toronto Metropolitan University
Aviva Polonsky
President,
HST Federation of Teachers
Jonathan Nadler
Professor of Engineering
Former candidate for trustee who competed against Robert in 2022
Sally Ni
Senior Education Consultant,
JIEC
School Council member,
Richmond Hill High School
Shweta Bhat
Director,
Hindu Active Volunteers Association
Jackie Cousins
Former School Council President,
Alexander Mackenzie High School (YRDSB)
Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Medal
Arun Channan
Chair,
Financial Advisors Association of Canada
Former President,
Richmond Hill Board of Trade
Zohaib Malhi
Former Chair, Run for Vaughan
Recipient of King Charles III Medal and Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award
"As a Member of Parliament, I have seen the impact that our education system has on our country. I have known Robert Kolosowski for over a decade and have seen his commitment to serving the people of Richmond Hill. Robert is a family man, a patriotic Canadian and a competent manager who has a long track record of standing up for Richmond Hill families."
Costas Menegakis, Member of Parliament for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill
"Robert Kolosowski has proposed meaningful policies to get our school board back on track. As an advocate for public education, I have worked hard to make Ontario’s education system work better for teachers and students. Robert has always stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me and fought for more EAs, smaller class sizes and less red tape for educators."
Shelley Wister-Smith, Former Ontario Secondary School Teacher Federation Branch President in District 16
"As a parent and Trustee, I know the importance of the Board of Trustees in school education and school safety. I have worked to support improving student academic performance and preventing crime and drugs from entering schools. I have also opposed random lottery admission systems for specialized programs. Throughout these efforts, Robert has stood alongside me. I fully support his efforts."
Dr. Weidong Pei, TDSB Trustee
“Robert’s passion for education has always been front-and-centre. Through his volunteer work in our schools, as well as his work in management, Robert has proven to be a competent and principled individual. Robert understands what it takes to serve the families of Richmond Hill.”
Michael Parsa, Member of Provincial Parliament for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill
"Robert Kolosowski has put forward a credible plan to combat discrimination in our schools. Having seen Robert’s unwavering commitment to opposing the ideologies that lead to division and hatred, I trust Robert to fundamentally shift the direction of our school board on this matter."
Aviva Polonsky, President of the Federation of Teachers for the Hebrew Schools of Toronto
"Robert Kolosowski is a hardworking, results-driven leader, who turns bold ideas into real improvements—improving classroom resources, expanding student supports, and fostering clear communication with families and teachers. With a long-term vision for equitable, high-quality education and a collaborative approach, he puts students first. I trust Robert for his vision and leadership."
Shweta Bhat, Director, Hindu Active Volunteers Association
In Our Schools
Working Across Governments
In the Community
Useful Links
YRDSB Schools & Programs
-
School Year Calendar
YRDSB Student Support
Student Transportation Services
Ontario
About Robert Kolosowski
COMMITTED TO RICHMOND HILL
-
Longtime volunteer in the York Region District School Board
-
Richmond Hill resident for two decades and devoted husband
-
Involved with various community groups, charitable causes, and multicultural organizations
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
-
Degree in Economics and Management Science
-
Previously worked in the Government of Ontario, Government of Canada, software industry, and banking industry
-
Serves on four YRDSB committees: Policy and By-law, Finance and Property, Audit, and JBC
-
Promoted to Chair of the YRDSB's Property and Finance Standing Committee in 2025, overseeing the $1.7 billion budget
