Why I'm Running

Esquimalt has its own seat at the table; I want to be your guy

Changes to the rules for electing Trustees means that Esquimalt will have a voice around the Board table for the first time since the 1990s. In my view, the new rules are transformational, giving the incoming Trustees a chance to ensure that Esquimalt concerns are heard and addressed. I am excited to be the person who seizes these new opportunities to make things better for Esquimalt students and parents.

Frankly I had not thought about becoming a Trustee until early in the year, when a friend encouraged me to think about stepping up. As a parent I have attended performances and track meets, driven children to events and provided support where I could. But I have not been active in the school PACs, music, sports or other programs. And I didn’t initially see myself running for Trustee, which I worried would be a thankless task aimed more at moderating parental expectations than achieving real change for our children.

But very soon thereafter, the Province announced the change in the election rules for School District 61. In addition to Esquimalt’s Trustee, View Royal, and the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations all get a Trustee, significantly shifting the balance of power from Victoria (which has tended to dominate the School Board).

While I still worry that managing an inadequate budget will force the trustees to make unacceptable choices, and then defend them to parents, here’s what I want to do for Esquimalt students:

• Advocate strongly for seismic upgrades and school safety. In particular, get the seismic upgrade at the high-risk Shoreline School back on track, and push for upgrades at Macaulay and Esquimalt;

• Build School District fundraising capacity by hiring a District Fundraiser.

• Ensuring that funds raised are fairly allocated across the District;

• Maintaining and expanding music, sports and other programs that give students who may not fit the academic mould a foundation to build success in school

• Emphasize programing that encourages student citizenship and initiative, rather than focusing on meeting test requirements; and

• Build direct relationships with Esquimalt parents, PACS, Council and others to ensure that their views are heard at the School Board Table.

Achieving these results requires not just standing up for Esquimalt at the Board table. It requires putting pressure on the BC Ministry of Education, listening to and keeping parents in the loop and inviting them to advocate for their children, building common ground with other trustees, and ensuring that our actions comply with charities law. I have developed these and other skills as a result of my work with community groups, local governments and others in the non-profit environmental sector.