School History

Our school is named in honour of Florence Meares, an exceptional educator whose career and service to public education in Halton spanned more than four decades. Beginning her career in 1934 in a one-room schoolhouse, Florence Meares went on to serve as a teacher and vice-principal, and made history as the first female principal appointed by the former Burlington Board of Education.

Her commitment to education did not end with retirement. Florence Meares continued to serve the community through a six-year term as a public school board trustee, demonstrating her lifelong dedication to students, families, and public education in Halton.

The nomination to name the school in her honour received strong community support, including endorsements from the Burlington Historical Society, the Nelson Women’s Institute, and numerous individual ballots. In recognizing her legacy, former Chair of the Halton District School Board, Ethel Gardiner, noted:

“The naming of a school after a person is a great honour. We had a number of excellent individuals whose names were submitted for this honour; however, trustees felt that Florence Meares’ life-long commitment to education in Halton was deserving at this time.”

Florence Meares passed away on November 10, 2011, at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Ontario, at the age of 97. Her legacy of leadership, service, and advocacy for education continues to inspire our school community today.

From her beginnings in a rural one-room schoolhouse to becoming a trailblazer in educational leadership, Florence Meares witnessed—and helped shape—nearly a century of change in public education in Halton.

Born in 1913 near Bronte, Ontario, Florence Meares grew up on a family farm and walked kilometres each day to attend school. Her passion for learning was evident early on, and in 1934, at just 18 years old, she began her teaching career at United Schools Section No. 17, commonly known as the Ash School. Like many rural schools of the time, it was a one-room schoolhouse where she taught multiple grades simultaneously. Her starting salary was $400 per year—a figure that later became the subject of good-natured debate when it was discovered she should have been earning more.

Over the next four decades, Florence Meares built a remarkable career in education. She became one of the first female vice-principals in the area in 1947 and, in 1960, made history as the first woman appointed principal by the newly formed Burlington Board of Education. She served as principal at Kilbride Public School, Lakeshore Public School, and Elizabeth Gardens Elementary, earning a reputation as a firm but fair leader who deeply cared about students and staff alike.

Committed to lifelong learning, Florence Meares earned her Master of Education degree from the University of Toronto in 1966. Even after retiring from school administration, her dedication to public education continued through her service as a Halton public school board trustee from 1976 to 1982.

Her contributions were widely recognized. She was named Burlington’s Citizen of the Year in 1987, honoured during the International Year of the Older Person in 1999, and received several provincial and community awards for her service and leadership. In recognition of her lifelong commitment to education, the community rallied to support the naming of a new elementary school in her honour. With endorsements from organizations such as the Burlington Historical Society and the Nelson Women’s Institute, Florence Meares Elementary School opened in 2002 in the Millcroft community.

Florence Meares remained closely connected to the school that bears her name, visiting often, calling staff on the first day of school each year, and proudly wearing school memorabilia. She passed away on November 10, 2011, at the age of 97, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, service, and an unwavering belief in the power of public education.

Florence Meares was not only a leader in education, but also a strong advocate for fairness and equity at a time when women in leadership roles were often overlooked. In Chalk, Challenge and Change: Stories from Women School Teachers in Ontario, 1920–79, she reflected candidly on her experiences challenging inequitable practices and breaking barriers in educational leadership.

Advocating for Fair Pay

In the early 1950s, Florence Meares spoke out against salary inequities that favoured male administrators over equally qualified women:

“They would hire a vice-principal, a young man with maybe two years’ experience, and give him $200 more because he was married. I was a vice-principal and didn’t get that raise.”

Determined to challenge this practice, she addressed the board directly:

“‘How do you know I’m not supporting a mother?’ I said. ‘I think you’re paid for what you do, not for having a wife.’”

Her advocacy led to change, ensuring that women appointed to vice-principal positions received the same salary as their male counterparts.

Becoming the First Female Principal

Florence Meares also described the events that led to her historic appointment as the first female principal in the Burlington Board of Education. During a period of rapid growth and school construction following the amalgamation of Burlington, Aldershot, and Nelson in 1959, she noted her frustration at seeing less experienced men promoted ahead of her.

After community members questioned why she had not been appointed to a principalship, she recalled being told:

“‘We have other plans for Miss Meares. Don’t worry about her.’”

The following year, those plans came to fruition when Florence Meares was appointed principal of the newly opened Kilbride Public School, marking a significant milestone for women in educational leadership in Halton.

Excerpts adapted from Chalk, Challenge and Change: Stories from Women School Teachers in Ontario, 1920–79
— as reported by Tim Whitnell, Burlington Post