As a candidate running for school trustee, I would like to briefly share some thoughts on my platform. I have been working within the district over the last eight years doing presentations on bullying and homophobia to high school students.
I have seen a need for change, so a couple of years ago I decided I was going to run for trustee in order to help start the process of change. Schools have to become a safer place in order for students to learn.
Criminal record checks should be mandatory for trustees, presenters and district staff at a minimum of every three years, which is not the case right now. I have presented in almost all the high schools within this district and have never been asked for a criminal record check, yet parents want to volunteer they need one.
Trustees are not required to provide a criminal record check and staff only need to do one when hired. This needs to change. The school district could create an easy to use database to help solve this problem and then could turn around and successfully market it to other districts across Canada to recoup and gain extra income
I believe that the current structure the school district uses for parents and students to get their voice to the trustees does not provide an adequate voice.
Trustees should be talking more directly to the PAC's and students to hear from them on the issues that are happening in the schools. It is great that the staff has easy access to lines of communication, but this is only one part of three important parts of the people involved in the district.
Bullying seems to be on the increase and taking on a variety of different forms lately. The district has to develop strategies in dealing with the increased bullying and styles. As a district schools should be celebrating and encouraging differences in schools.
In addition to presenters, communication and bullying, the recent school closures greatly reduce the number of students now able to join sports teams.
Why are students no longer being allowed to participate in sports unless they are the best? How does this build students self-esteem or give them a chance to improve or succeed?
With all this said, why should you vote for me? I have an Advanced Business Management degree. Currently I am the front end manager of a restaurant and volunteer much time to Scouts Canada. I have been presenting in this district and in almost every northern School District over the last eight years.
I have always been able to think in and outside the box to solve funding solutions when they involve work or volunteer. Looking towards the future I believe we will be looking at continued decline revenue that trustees will have to deal with.
