I am a mother of a daughter 15 years of age enrolled at DP Todd Secondary. I am employed by Gingerbread Toys, Hart Highway and College Heights locations.
Traits that I bring to the position of Trustee are - My dedication to the success of all students in SD 57.
My professionalism and the respect I have for the role of a Trustee. I have been successful in voicing concerns faced by our district at the provincial level. My ability to listen and hear issues and concerns brought forward to the board, question and determine my position based on the information presented without bias.
I come prepared and do necessary homework. I am proud to be known for being fair and approachable.
I feel our public board meetings have been handled in a professional inclusive manner and do not wish to see this change. We are one of the districts that actually include input from both the public and our partner groups at our board meetings.
I do wish to see the consultative process when addressing district issues expanded. When we are facing changes in policy or the way we do business we need to hear the voice of those that these changes will affect.
A prime example of this is the current bussing policy that I feel needs a full examination. However prior to any change in policy we need to meet with the users of this service and find out the best way this service can be utilized.
Then we can write a policy that reflects where the district is now and what its needs are.
Funding issues I would like to see addressed immediately:
1) let us sell some of our closed schools. SD57 continues to see our numbers decline yet we are saddled with the up keep and maintenance of schools we have closed.
Some are leased in part to outside agencies but this does not offset the amount necessary to maintain others. Lift the moratorium on school sales and allow us the opportunity to put those funds back into educating our students.
2) Give the school districts back funds collected through the pacific carbon trust so we may perform the needed upgrades to our facilities as we move towards being carbon neutral.
Public education funds going to private organizations is not in the best interest of students, education nor society as a whole.
The newly elected board must immediately see that all trustees received full orientation of School District 57 operations. Trustees need to be fully informed of the current bargaining being done on their behalf by BCPSEA with BCTF.
Newly elected trustees also need to be informed of the work of the 2008-2011 board at the provincial level voicing concerns over items such as but not limited to rural school funding inadequacies, transportation under funding and the ill effects of the pacific carbon trust.
Then this new board can move forward in the best interest of all students.
