Former District Parent Advisory Council chairperson Sarah Holland is running for school board.
"I am passionate about the importance of the public education system in a democratic society, and the role that our school system plays in helping all our children become educated and well adjusted citizens, able to participate in our community," Holland said in a statement issued Tuesday.
"I bring with me years of knowledge as to how the school system works, a huge amount of respect for the many valuable employees in our district, financial and numeric literacy, a commitment to working with others with respect, and a commitment to transparency, communication, and planning.
"I would like to see a school district that serves the needs of all of our students and our community, and is an employer of choice."
Holland said she had been volunteering at parent advisory councils since her first child started kindergarten at Austin Road Elementary School and continued in that role at Heather Park elementary and Duchess Park secondary school.
A married mother of two daughters who works as a financial planner, Holland said she became involved in DPAC when it was announced in 2010 that Austin Road would be closed. She's served as treasurer, vice chairperson, and, four four years, as chairperson.
Holland emphasized that experience.
"As a representative for DPAC, I have attended many school board and committee meetings over the years, and have both critiqued and congratulated the board and district many times on items such as catchment, capacity, projections, lunches, financial hardship, transparency, budgets, and following board policies, to name a few topics," she said. "I have also seen the importance of good working relationships with all of our partner groups."
Also in the running are Betty Bekkering, who was a trustee during 2011-14 and Stephanie Mikalishen-Deol, a manager at the YMCA of Northern B.C.
