School District 57 Candidate Q&A

Oct 15, 2018 | 1:10 PM

On a five-part series leading up to the 2018 Civic Election, we hear from the candidates running for School District 57 Trustee on a number of issues. 

 

We begin with part one of our five-part series with: why are the candidates running for a trustee position? 

PART ONE

Shuirose Valimohamed – Trustee Electoral Area 2 – Mackenzie

The reason I chooses to run for Trustee is that for the first time Mackenzie/McLeod Lake will have a voice. I have seen first hand the impact our kids face because of our unique rural location. Everything from lack of teachers, EA’s, enhanced education options, transportation cost, just to name a few. I truly believe that public education should be equal to all the students in BC matter where they live.

Betty Bekkering – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

I was a trustee from 2011 – 2014. In the intervening years since the last election, my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We had a final year together and I have had another year to adjust to my life without him. He kept a journal for his final 6 months and in it he made a few references to me to run again for trustee in this election. I could not refuse. I loved my one term as a trustee and believe still as I did then, education is the solution to many of the worlds’ problems i.e. poverty, getting control of climate change, tolerance. I would like to provide the governance for our students that gives them the best opportunities for learning and achievement. My slogan for this election is “Students First. “. I will keep that slogan in mind throughout deliberations through this term as trustee.

Tim Bennett – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

First and foremost, I am passionate about Public Education and believe I still have work to do as a Trustee.  I am seeking re-election for a third term on school board because there are some big challenges and opportunities on the horizon for both SD57 and Public Education in BC.  I am confident I have the skills, leadership, and experience to support the district and board through these while also advocating for our students, staff and communities. These challenges include addressing the catchment and capacity issues in Prince George schools; advocating for our district and students as the government introduces changes to the education funding formula; supporting our staff through the final implementation of the new curriculum; and as the employer ensure a fair and respectful bargaining process with our teachers and support staff.  These are all going to faced by the new board in the next 12 months.

Trent W Derrick – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

I have always believed in giving back to the community that has given me so much. I believe in a strong Public Education System that is accessible to all students. I do believe that my unique perspective of owning my own business, having worked in the Public and Private sectors allows me to be able to bring people together to manage the unique challenges that School District 57 will be facing in the next four years.

Sarah Holland – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Short answer: I believe I can do a good job, in a very important job. Longer answer: after my children’s school was closed in 2010, I realized that what decisions the school board makes actually matters. I got involved, and have found it fascinating, complicated, and important. I want to do my part to make the school system work for all our students, I want to work respectfully with our education partners, and I want people to be able to see and trust the decision-making process.

Trudy Klassen – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Friends suggested I run because of my passion for education, my value for parents, and my skillset.  I decided I could be an effective Trustee because I have the time the position needs.

Allan E Kranz – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

To put something back into the community.

Stephanie K Mikalishen-Deol – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

I want to provide safe and quality learning and equal opportunity for EVERY student in our district.

I was raised in a family who believes in serving the community. This has been the driving force for my ten-year career with the YMCA and my leadership as President to the BC Camps Association- serving kids’ camps across the province. I know there is more work to be done for our children and youth, and being a school district trustee is my opportunity to leverage this experience for meaningful change.

During my time with the Y, I have worked with many youth programs, initiatives, and events, including YMCA Camp Kanannaq, the YMCA Aurora Leadership Program, YMCA Beyond the Bell, the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, Foundry Prince George, National Child Day, YMCA Healthy Kids Day, the YMCA Road Race and Colour Run, the Fun City Sliders and most recently the Movie in the Park.

I will bring my wealth of career experience including– leadership, consensus-based decision making, capital budgets, fiscal and community accountability, managing change, policy development, ethical behaviour, and transparent communication.

I am also keeping a commitment to green campaigning. I believe that the amount of money spent on municipal campaigns would be much better spent directly funding youth programs and not-for-profits. Thus, I am committed to self-financing my campaign and keeping my costs minimal. In addition, I will not be using any signage in my campaign. Instead, I will be using social media and web-based marketing. My husband and I are making charitable donations to local youth organizations instead of signage.

Ron S Polillo – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

I’m running for a school trustee position because I  have passion for learning and education . I have 2 daughters in the public school system in Prince George and I know  a quality education will be important for their future success and for all our students.

Corey Walker – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline.

Sharel Warrington – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

In seeking re-election, I offer 13 years of experience serving the students, employees and communities of School District 57.  I believe a board must work as a united team committed to collaboration and responsible leadership; leadership that focusses on building positive, supportive working relationships as it addresses the needs of our students, our employees and our communities. A board’s responsibility to is to contribute to the stability and confidence of the district as it moves forward.  I believe a trustee’s work is to be a strong voice of support and advocacy, to respect the contribution of each member of the board, to understand the complexities of the district and to ensure when making decisions all options are explored and considered. Over the past 13 years, I have valued the faith placed in me to fulfill my responsibilities as a member of SD57 Board of Education.  In seeking re-election, once again, I offer my commitment, my experience and leadership to the work of the board, to our students, our employees and our communities.

Bruce Wiebe – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

I am seeking re-election as I have sat as a School Board 57 trustee for the last 4 years. I was both a teacher at Blackburn, Vanway and Malapina Elementary Schools and a principal at Dunster, McBride Centennial, Hixon, Nukko Lake, Malaspina and Vanway Elementary Schools. I know the people, the operations, the logistics, decentralized budgeting procedures, and the organization. I know the challenges and the opportunities for our students in our public schools.

All three of my children went through the Prince George School District public education system. In addition, my four oldest grandchildren currently attend schools in the Prince George School District. While I know we have a good school district and caring educational professionals, I believe that there are always ways to grow and learn.

I want all students, including my grandchildren to have the best learning opportunities that we as parents and educators can provide to our children. I believe I have a responsibility to help our school district to continue to work together and get even better.

I believe that good leadership, accountability, proven experience and caring about children and their success are important values for a trustee. I believe my skill set focuses on direct support for all students and providing teachers and educational assistants opportunities to meet the learning needs of their students.

Harold R Edwards – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

Bob J Thompson – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

 

PART TWO

Part two of our five-part series is: What do you see as the biggest challenge facing SD57? 

Shuirose Valimohamed – Trustee Electoral Area 2 – Mackenzie

The biggest challenge, in my opinion, is lack of resources in Mackenzie/McLeod Lake. I feel a lot of students in our schools do not get the resources that other schools have. Another challenge is lack of teachers and EA’s and housing for new teachers arriving in Mackenzie.  

Betty Bekkering – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

There are 2 issues that spring to mind that will be challenges for the new board. Recruitment and Capacity. I feel strongly, that the recruitment issue can be helped by increasing teachers wages. BC Teachers are paid the lowest in Canada and recruitment from other provinces is greatly hampered by our wages. Teachers from other provinces, interested in moving to BCtake a look at our teachers’ wage structure and say, “no thanks”.

Tim Bennett – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

One of the biggest issues facing our district right now is catchment and capacity. Our district is growing and we are quickly running out of space in our schools. This will need to be addressed by continuing the consultation started by the Board and looking at options to address the current and projected capacity crunches. These options could include changing catchment areas, trying to add space through the addition of portables and/or finding creative solutions that would not impact the education needs of our students. The first round of consultation regarding Ecole Duchess Park is complete and we learned a lot about what the community is looking for.  We need to take some of that feedback and look at some different options presented as well. Before the final decisions are made the board needs to continue consulting with stakeholders, and make sure the process remains transparent.

Trent W Derrick – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing SD57? Accessibility for all students is always a challenge. All students need to be able to access all services and supports that are needed. All students deserve the best possible Public Education despite race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, special needs or location within the district. When talking about the immediate concerns of Capacity and Catchment, accessibility for all students will need to be at the forefront of these discussions.

Sarah Holland – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

There’s never just one challenge in the school system. There are many important issues facing the Prince George school district, including the capacity of schools, implementation of new curriculum, changes to the funding formula, and the ongoing challenge of providing appropriate support to all our students. Dealing with these challenges requires collaboration, consultation, analysis, dealing with others with respect, using the money we have to our best advantage, and advocating for more funding.

Trudy Klassen – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Our low overall graduation rates. Engaging with marginalized parents is the way to improve those rates.  I would investigate why students are dropping out and advocate for the changes needed to ensure that each student is getting the education they need to compete in the economy.

Allan E Kranz – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Changing demographics.

Stephanie K Mikalishen-Deol – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

I shared in other questionnaires that two of the biggest challenges currently facing our district are the labour shortage and catchment and capacity. Our labour shortage includes both teacher and specialty support recruitment and retention. Our catchment and capacity issues are district-wide and beyond the challenges at Duchess Park.

Given the recent events in the district, I would be remiss to not recognize that there is a clear issue with bullying and mental health supports. I stand for SAFE education for all students. Mental health is a cause close to my heart and a pillar of my platform. Our students need more support to ensure that our classrooms are safe for everyone.

Ron S Polillo – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The biggest challenge facing SD57 in the immediate future will be capacity and catchment. These are difficult topics to address and a  lot of hard work will have to be done by staff, parents and the new board to face the challenging situation. We will need a lot of consultation and discussions before we make important decisions that impact so many families in our school district.

Corey Walker – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

Sharel Warrington – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The new board will have a steep learning curve as it will be faced with challenging decisions within the first months of its term.

A new funding formula will be introduced within the next year and the next board will need to address how changes to the current funding model will impact the district.  Capacity issues must be addressed. Advocacy for a fair and successful bargaining process for our teachers and support staff will be needed. Recruitment and retention of staff will continue to be a challenge.  All programs and services to meet student needs must continue to be a priority.

Bruce Wiebe – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

SD57 is one of the largest geographic districts in BC. Some challenges we face are the ability to provide a fair and equitable quality education curriculum to especially our rural and remote communities. Also northern weather conditions are taxing at times. While a good challenge with our enrolment increasing in different parts of Prince George communities, the Board will need to find solutions to school building capacities as well. Of course, further improvement of our graduation rates for Aborginal and non-Aboriginal students is a goal that should always be first. Another challenge is the recruitment of teachers.

As a trustee, I have been a strong advocate for our rural and remote schools and communities. I supported and spoke strongly in favour of our Rural Education Report, pushed for extra funding to our remote community schools, met with Village Council representatives of McBride and Valemount to listen to their concerns and pushed for McBride’s two schools to remain open as separate buildings. As part of the Board, I have met with MLA’s and Minister of Education and spoken about our higher costs for snow removal, and heating, about technology issues transportation costs and rural school supports.

I participated in the Rural Education Advisory Report to the Ministry and as well the Government Select Standing Committee speaking for our rural and remote and urban funding needs to support a fair and equitable quality education. As chair of the Education Services Committee, I can say we are in the midst of an intensive review of the building capacity of our schools and are working closely with Senior Administration to ensure the best solutions can be found. Further, as the Board liaison on the District Student Advisory Council, I listen and seek input from our students for the issues and goals, important to them. Recruitment and retention of teachers is a challenge for all districts across BC. Prince George SD57 continues to hire our local graduates, advertises provincially and nationally and will remain focused on hiring the best professionals for the role.

If re-elected you can count on Bruce Wiebe to speak with you about needs, solutions and resources for education and to bring these issues to the Board Table and the Ministry.

Harold R Edwards – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

Bob J Thompson – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

 

PART THREE

Part three of our five-part series is: Is the current curriculum preparing kids for success?

Shuirose Valimohamed – Trustee Electoral Area 2 – Mackenzie

This is an interesting question. I have three girls in the school system. My eldest daughter is graduating this year. A couple of years ago, I had to teach her basic “banking”, how mortgages work, how taxes work etc.  Basic life skills would be a great asset to young students. My middle daughter is interested in course that are not offered here, but are offered in PG Equal education for all BC Students no matter where they live.

Betty Bekkering – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The new curriculum implemented for K-10, is perfect for preparing students for the 21st century. There was a broad spectrum of inputfrom stakeholders in education in the province and that has resulted in teachers embracing the new curriculum and making it happen.

Tim Bennett – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Yes, I believe it is.  The new curriculum was developed with extensive consultation with teachers across British Columbia and is designed to have kids learn and understand concepts rather than memorize and regurgitate. It is teaching core competencies and big ideas rather than ensuring kids remember a certain fact for a test. It will create more enriching learning environments and will help create better rounded citizens. I also believe it will provide teachers with more opportunities to teach to their passions and create even better learning opportunities for kids.   I recognize that the roll out of the new curriculum has caused concern because it is a big change in how education looks and is delivered. The district has and will continue to provide support to our teachers through the first few years of the new K-10 curriculum and need to ensure we are supporting staff and communicating with parents, guardians, caregivers and students as the new graduation curriculum is implemented. The goal of the new curriculum is to produce well rounded graduates and educated citizens. I believe the new curriculum will do that and hep our students be successful in life after public school.

Trent W Derrick – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Is the current curriculum preparing kids for success? Curriculum is always changing and will need to be adapted and changed to meet new challenges. Is the current School Board supporting teachers in their ability to adapt? This is a question that needs to be top of mind by all trustees at all times. There shouldn’t ever be a major surplus in the School District Budget when there are so many needs throughout the district. The School Boards job is to build a supportive environment so that teachers can maximize their ability to teach and adapt their curriculum and this cannot happen without fully funded supports in place.

Sarah Holland – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The revised curriculum was rolled out in 2016 for kindergarten to grade 9 students, and is being fully implemented this year for grades 10 to 12. We don’t know yet if this is proving to prepare students for success, but I have been encouraged by the amount of consultation and teacher involvement there has been in the preparation of the curriculum, and what I’ve heard from teachers to date. The board will need to assess how the revisions to the curriculum are working in practice.

Trudy Klassen – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

As a Trustee there is little I can do about curriculum as it is mandated from Victoria.  I am hopeful that our teachers will focus on mastery of foundational skills as it is needed to improve student success as they enter the workforce, trades, and post-secondary institutions.  Parent engagement needs to be improved as it is the single biggest factor in student success.

Allan E Kranz – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

There are places for improvement. Better use of technology where appropriate would be one.

Stephanie K Mikalishen-Deol – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The new BC Curriculum is still in the roll out phase; it is too early to see the results of the changes. I believe that it has the opportunity to ensure that every child is successful. It has the ability to meet the individual needs of each student through personalized learning and builds real life skills such as the core competencies and the engaged citizen. I believe that we have a responsibility to ensure that every child has equal opportunity through quality learning and this is a great step in getting us there.

Ron S Polillo – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The new curriculum has been a learning curve for everyone but I believe it’s a good step in the right direction. It allows for more creative approaches for teachers and students. The core principles of the new curriculum  are solid as it uses more collaborative, project based learning!

Corey Walker – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

Sharel Warrington – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Student success is when each student is able to develop to their full potential.  The current curriculum focuses on developing that potential, the ability to think critically, solve problems, question and be curious about their world.   It provides for strategies where each student can actively demonstrate what they know and can do. Programs from k-12 engage students in opportunities to explore career options, to develop teamwork and collaboration.   Social responsibility, creativity, physical health and wellness, developing empathy and respect for others, engagement in fine arts programs and appreciation of cultural heritage all are aspects of the new curriculum and all contribute to preparing students for success.  Yes, from k-12, the new curriculum does prepare our students for success.

Bruce Wiebe – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Yes. Prince George School District is a progressive and team oriented organization full of very fine people focused on providing the best educational opportunities for each and every student across our whole district. Over the past four years, we have seen our board work to implement new curriculum to provide students with relevant and hands on learning and application. We have sought our students input through our District Student Advisory Council. We have worked with local and provincial governments and our unions to reopen Springwood Elementary School and the building of a new Kelly Road Secondary School. We have ensured that our rural communities where treated equally and fairly and provided extra funding to help with learning goals. Our School Board listened to our rural communities through our Rural Education Report and used that input to support our rural schools. We have worked with our communities and district staff to gather input and create our Strategic Plan for School District #57. As well, that plan is being operationalized across our district. This Board has presented reports to government encouraging a stronger team approach across all ministries to help our vunerable population have greater access to the supports that are so important.

As a Board we must oversee all the needs and ensure that our budget fairly and equitably covers the vulnerable students, special education needs, improvements to Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal graduation rates, safe and healthy schools, transportation and quality education opportunities to our outlying and remote schools. The School Board has the responsibility of providing quality education and learning opportunities for all SD57 students.

As a Board, we have to provide support to our teachers and educational assistants to enable them to meet student needs.

Harold R Edwards – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

Bob J Thompson – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

 

PART FOUR

Part four of our five-part series is: Do you believe the new ward system will be effective?

Shuirose Valimohamed – Trustee Electoral Area 2 – Mackenzie

First time for everything. Ask me that question after the 4 year term.

Betty Bekkering – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

There are 2 issues that spring to mind that will be challenges for the new board. Recruitment and Capacity. I feel strongly, that the recruitment issue can be helped by increasing teachers wages. BC Teachers are paid the lowest in Canada and recruitment from other provinces is greatly hampered by our wages. Teachers from other provinces, interested in moving to BC take a look at our teachers’ wage structure and say, “no thanks”.

Tim Bennett – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

I do, but it will take work and commitment from the new board. Once sworn in the board of seven is now responsible for representing and advocating for all students, staff, and citizens of SD57.  The board still needs to be committed to visiting these communities and meeting with their local governments and community members, even if there is a trustee living there. The Board also needs to review our Ad-Hoc report on Rural Education to make sure the recommendations implemented have had the desired impacts and get updates on recommendations that have not yet fully been implemented.  The voices and perspectives of the trustee from electoral area two (Mackenzie) and three (Robson/Canoe Valley) are going to be valuable.  The District has also taken some actions to ensure these trustees are fully able to participate whether they make the trip to Prince George or participate remotely.  We want to ensure they can participate fairly and represent the constituents they were elected by.

Trent W Derrick – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Do you believe the new ward system will be effective? Yes, I do believe it will be successful. Anytime you are able to bring together those from throughout the district the better. It is important that there is voices outside of Prince George bringing their concerns to the table and fighting for their issues so that all students have the same opportunity to access all service and supports despite where you live.  

Sarah Holland – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

There are some potential issues: trustees are elected to represent the district as a whole, but will have only one community electing them; there is a population imbalance between the communities and the representatives. On the other hand, there has long been a population imbalance when all trustees have come from Prince George. The new ward system was established by the Minister of Education, and the board now has the responsibility to make it work – and must, in good faith, work together for the district as a whole.

Trudy Klassen – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The effectiveness of the new ward system will depend on the ability of the new Prince George Trustees to listen to our colleagues from Mackenzie and Robson Valley.  We need to address their concerns so they can remain viable communities. My leadership style is to listen, investigate, collaborate, implement, and then investigate again to make sure decisions are actually effective.

Allan E Kranz – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

It could be if the people involved want it to work.

Stephanie K Mikalishen-Deol – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

I want to see every child have equal opportunity in our district. Although there will be logistical challenges and a learning curve as the board adjusts to the changes, I believe that this is important in ensuring that all our communities feel true representation and support: our board should reflect our district.

Ron S Polillo – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

I think the new ward system will be beneficial for rural schools and for schools outside the city of Prince George. With one trustee from Mackenzie and the Robson Valley, their voices and concerns will be better represented when decisions are made.

Corey Walker – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

Sharel Warrington – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

The effectiveness of the new ward system will depend entirely on the commitment of the seven elected trustees to work as a team for the benefit of every student in the district.  Understanding the work of the board’s oversight responsibilities as a corporate board and valuing the contribution each member of the board brings to the board table will be determining factors. If re-elected I will work to support each trustee in their work and will work to ensure that the new ward system will be effective.

Bruce Wiebe – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

Yes. The School Board is comprised of seven trustees. Each trustee has a responsibility to know and understand the complexities of an issue and to gather information from the parents of communities, school staffs, Senior Administration, partner groups and ministry resources. When the trustees meet as the Corporate Board, the final decisions most often through vote, signify the direction that the Board will take. The trustees from MacKenzie and the Robson Valley will bring their experiences and perspectives to broaden the knowledge of the Board in relation to the complexities of the school district. I look forward if elected, to working with trustees from MacKenzie and the Robson Valley.

Harold R Edwards – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

Bob J Thompson – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

 

PART FIVE

We wrap-up with the final part of our five-part series: How should the funding formula look? The provincial government is reviewing it.

Shuirose Valimohamed – Trustee Electoral Area 2 – Mackenzie

The funding formula should not be based on number of students, it should be based on what the schools need for their students success.  

Betty Bekkering – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

I have been absent from the board for 4 years. Input into a new funding formula will be a learning curve for me. I cannot comment on that yet.

Tim Bennett – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

It needs to be predictable and sustainable. There needs to be more funding and support for special needs students and that a model focusing on needs based supports and strategies rather than a dollar amount per student is beneficial. I believe CommunityLINK funding needs to be increased and tied to data such as EDI or other indexes that monitor a community’s vulnerability.  I believe the formula needs to recognize the importance of a school to rural and remote communities and provide adequate funding to support rural education. I believe that the formula needs to give boards more flexibility and local autonomy. I believe the formula needs to increase capital funding and ensure it is distributed throughout the province. I believe targeted aboriginal education dollars need to stay as targeted dollars. The new funding formula may have a big impact as we have been told the quantum is not increasing, just being redistributed.   When it is introduced we need to quickly model it and ensure it does not negatively impact our district, our students or our communities. If it does, we need to quickly respond to government. I support our motion asking government to delay implementation until 2020 rather than 2019.

Trent W Derrick – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

How should the funding formula look? The provincial government is reviewing it. In order to recruit support staff, it is important to fund for full time staff no matter the location within the district. In rural schools, it is impossible to recruit someone when they are offered limited hours. Calls to actions from the Truth and Reconciliation need to be taken into consideration to fully fund cultural supports for Indigenous students. Also, a model that takes in consideration the unique needs of rural School Districts that fluctuate dramatically from year to year in enrollment. So a funding model that is continuous that takes into consideration continuous training for staff.

Sarah Holland – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

I agree with the statement of principles for the new funding model by Ministry and BCSTA, which are that the funding model be responsive (takes into consideration unique local requirement), equitable (comparable levels of service across the province), stable and predictable (multi-year planning!), flexible (respects local autonomy), transparent (uses clear methodology), and accountable (allocates in an efficient manner, ensures resources are being used as intended). It will be interesting to see if the new funding model makes dramatic changes that will lead to better student outcomes, or if it is a reshuffling of current funding (where some districts are winners and others are losers). Education is a priority and an increase in funding is important.

Trudy Klassen – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

The new funding formula needs to:

support the specific issues faced by rural and remote schools,

improve access to special needs assessments,

provide continual funding for increased parent and small business involvement in curriculum decisions,

and generally prioritize student success and preparing students for the future economy over fancy new buildings.

Allan E Kranz – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

The funding formula should be partly based on student enrollment and partly on physical constraints of offering educational services in different parts of BC. This is not significantly different from what it is now but adding stable budgets that go over multiple years without claw-back would be my preference.

Stephanie K Mikalishen-Deol – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

What is really important here is that the formula addresses the needs of all students to allow equal opportunities, including those with special needs, rural schools, and vulnerable students.

Ron S Polillo – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

I know the government is reviewing the funding formula and if elected I will fight to ensure we get our fair share. I will be a strong advocate for our large and diverse school district. We should lobbying local MLA’s, the government and the Ministry of Education. We need to allocate resources and money that makes the most impact for our students!

Corey Walker – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

Sharel Warrington – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

The funding formula needs to meet the very diverse needs of all students, all schools and all 60 districts.  It was agreed from the beginning of the current review that any change to the model must meet the test of six principles; equity, flexibility, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, stability and sustainability.  It needs to be understood that adjusting or changing any one aspect of the current funding model will impact other factors if new money is not built into the block. At this time boards are waiting for the review panel’s final report which was to be presented to the Minister of Education this summer.

The timeline for consultation and change has been extremely short. Boards of Education across the province have stated more time for consultation and input to the final report is needed before any changes are implemented.  There are significant concerns that no board, no student, no employee should be negatively impacted under a new formula. The next board will be required to address these issues within the first months of its mandate. It will be critical that all trustees understand the significant implications of any change to the current funding model in relation to the district’s budget process and operating fund allocation to support student learning.

Bruce Wiebe – Trustee Electoral Area 1 – Prince George 

 

The funding formula needs to take into account the unique needs of School District #57. It must identify the specific targeted needs of students across the district. A base for each and every student must ensure that all district students are funded appropriately to support their learning needs. It is important that student learning is at the forefront of the formula. In addition, there are many costs associated with the operation of a large school district. 85% of School District 57 budget goes to salaries because education is a people business. Thus the funds must ensure the proper amount of educators in our district. Behind the scenes are the costs of heating and snow removal and the crews that maintain buildings and grounds. There are transportation and social support programs that need to be funded. New contracts are on the horizon.

The new SD57 Board will need to ensure that the many costs associated with educating our students are covered in the new formula and communicate such with the BC government Ministries of Education and Finance. If re-elected, Bruce Wiebe will put his energies toward improved funding for SD57.

Harold R Edwards – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

Bob J Thompson – Trustee Electoral Area 3 – Robson Valley 

The candidate did not submit their responses for the Q & A by our deadline. 

 

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