An anti-bullying and anti-homophobia advocate is seeking a term on school board.
Now a manager at a motel after completing a business program at a local college, Shawn Peters, 31, was the chair of Youthquest! until its funding was ended six years ago but he continues to give presentations on the subject, which he says remains an issue.
"When I go into high schools and I hear from students about the bullying that they're still experiencing, I know that the school board is not listening and not doing enough, so I figured it was time to step up," Peters said this week.
In addition to improving safety in schools, Peters said he would find ways to give students a bigger voice at the school board table. There is a district student advisory council, but attendance by its members at school board meetings has been sporadic.
He also said trustees need to attend more parent advisory council (PAC) meetings claiming he's never seen one at any of the meetings he's attended to give presentations on bullying and homophobia.
"If you're elected in, how can you be doing what's best for the school district if you're only hearing from the administration side?" Peters said. "To me, there are three sides. There are the students, there are the parents and there is the administration side."
School board meetings are broadcast on Shaw Cable and via the school district website and Peters says that should be expanded to include committee meetings.
Peters also maintains all trustees should be subject to a criminal record check before they are allowed to sit on the school board. Parents who volunteer to help with school activities must get a criminal record check, he noted.
With that said, Peters provided a copy of his criminal record check from the RCMP, which showed no convictions and challenged all other candidates to make their records public.
Peters grew up in Prince George, and attended Blackburn elementary and Prince George secondary schools. He has no children but has two nieces who will be attending school within the next few years.
