We asked candidates to fill out a questionnaire about their background and their positions on some issues facing their communities.
Here are their answers, as submitted by them.
Candidates
The Saanich school district has seven trustees in four zones. Five people have been acclaimed:
- Victoria Martin — District of Saanich zone
- Teri Vanwell — District of Saanich zone
- Elsie McMurphy — North Saanich zone
- Sheila Stelck — North Saanich zone
- Nola Silzer — Sidney zone
Two trustees will be elected from the Central Saanich zone:
Megan Desroches
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I served on the executive board of a local co-op preschool. The executive was responsible for the school's budget, finances, fundraising, and personnel decisions.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
I am a homeowner and business owner with two young children in the district. I firmly believe high-quality public education must be accessible to each and every student as a foundation for a healthy, productive, and engaged community. My experience as a public educator in BC and California, including head of a science department and seat on the Instructional Improvement Council of a California Distinguished School, give me the skills and perspective needed to support our students and educators.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
Increasing student support after the collective agreement language was restored will take time and funding, and our district, like the rest of the province, is still lacking enough specialists and TTOCs. Teacher recruitment and retention should remain a priority, especially with rising costs of living in the area. In addition, provincial funding still lags behind need in public schools.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
Education is multi-faceted and too complex for me to come into this position with a focus on a single issue or my own agenda. I know the unique challenges public schools face. Perpetual under-funding and a diverse student population require flexible and creative problem-solving with an unwavering focus on student welfare and inclusivity. Students should leave our schools with the critical thinking skills, scientific literacy, arts appreciation, and cultural understanding needed to excel.
Tim Dunford
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
Resident with my family in Central Saanich for 33 years, I served on the Central Saanich Police Board 1987-1992. I became involved in our children's school PACs and served as Chair of the District PAC. I was appointed a parent member of the BC College of Teachers Council from 2003-2010.
I became a Central Saanich Board Trustee in 2011 and was re-elected in 2014. During that time I have served as the Chair of the Policy Committee, the Finance Facilities and Technology Committee, and the Budget Advisory Committee.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
The importance of public education may be understated. The community must have confidence in the education of the its students and this confidence must extend beyond one's own children to the governance, structures, finances, efficiencies and programs of the District.
This perspective has driven my service in the public education system to ensure that my experience and judgement provide sound leadership in the necessary decision-making and governance required for the Board.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
- Implementation of the Court decision on classroom restoration including staff recruitment and space constraints
- With funding, reinstatement of programs and establishing priorities that have been reduced or limited by a history of inadequate resources
-Continuity for the Board. If I am re-elected there will still be only three experienced Trustees, with at least four new Board members
-Anticipated new Provincial funding formula
-2019 Teacher Bargaining
-Technology renewal
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
Consideration of reinstatement of regular community forums to discuss the public education system, its integration into community life, and to raise its profile to the equivalent of local government.
Alicia Holman
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I grew up on the Peninsula and have lived here for over 40 years; I raised my family here too. I have experienced SD#63 as a student, a parent, an employer and most recently, as a Municipal Councillor. My work history spans 30+ years as a human resources professional, marketing manager, small business owner and job coach in the public, private, and non-profit sectors related to education, healthcare, technology, tourism and social enterprise.
As a local government official, board member, volunteer advocate and community liaison it’s been my pleasure to participate on numerous regional boards, commissions, community associations and volunteer committees.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
Because I care about the challenges we face today and believe solutions start with strengthening public education and safeguarding healthy learning environments. Public education has helped shape me, my family and this place we call home. I’m optimistic about public education in B.C. and it would be an honour to represent my community as Trustee by joining the well respected, seasoned professionals who have shaped Saanich Schools (District #63) into an innovative leader in public education.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
To provide every child with the opportunity to achieve their potential.
To ensure our schools are welcoming and safe environments for all children; places that encourage students to develop self-awareness, self-confidence, compassion for others, healthy relationships and a love for life-long learning.
Keeping pace with, and acquiring funding for, innovative learning opportunities that prepare our leaders of tomorrow for the ever changing world of technology, our environment and social norms.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
1) encouraging community engagement, environmental stewardship and greater participation in local civics/democracy
2) establishing a community kitchen/gathering place/local food hub
3) helping to address affordable housing and high childcare costs
4) improving accessibility for all, and
5) supporting First Nations education, culture and reconciliation
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