Well tonight marked our fifth and final all candidates forum. Fourth for the men.
Questions I have fielded ranged from facilities renewal to french immersion issues... we were asked about our positions on school closures and class size, teacher lay offs and administration's role in the Board of Education's decision making processes.
My initial thoughts remain although I have learned much from this experience.
It doesn't much matter what any particular parent or community group's first priority or issue is... if the Board of Education isn't going to engage in conversation with you on the topic.
An opportunity exists this weekend for the public- parents and members of the communitiy- to exercise their right to ensure that our collective voices are heard at the Board level over the next three years.
Of 16, there are 9 candidates who are prepared to work collaboratively, advocating to save public education from many different fronts.
Innovative, unique strategies are possible and the angles of address must be decided with individual school communities' needs at the forefront.
This will not be possible without input from all stakeholders- parents, teachers, community groups, students, senior administration.... Each with equally important roles to play in the final decision making process taking place at the Board Table.
Make your selection carefully.
Trust your instincts and elect trustees whom you feel will best assist you in shaping the future of public education in SD68.
There are candidates who will work hard for you, making decisions based on facts, all the while never losing sight of the bottom line:
Our children.