Commitment to inspiring all learners to reach their full potential, improving opportunities for all students, and ensuring long-term stability and viability of the 91原创 School District have been the focus for 91原创 Board of Education trustee Alison McVeigh. These will continue to be her priorities, should she be successful in this November's civic elections.
McVeigh was first elected as a trustee in 91原创 City, and has represented the Township on the board in the past two terms. She believes that her experience and knowledge together with her strong leadership skills and integrity will continue providing a positive addition to the board table, and will help to ensure that the 91原创 School District continues to be the best public school system in British Columbia.
"Over the past three years, this board has worked incredibly hard. We have accomplished many of the goals that we set for ourselves through our strategic plan at the start of the term," she says.
Most important for her are the goals that focus on educational priorities. Through the district's new vision statement, developed in consultation with the community, she is committed to continuing to build a school district that is innovative, inspiring and unified.
The district has continued to see improvement in graduation results and more students successfully transition from grade to grade and then from Grade 12 to post-secondary. Continued improvements have also been seen in literacy and numeracy. The board has allocated more resources to enhance reading recovery, side-by-side teaching, and a new mentoring program for beginning teachers and principals, along withtechnology to support all learners. Improvements have also been seen in the results for the district's Aboriginal students
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The continuing growth and the shortage of schools on the Willoughby slope is a very big concern for McVeigh. During this term, the board developed in consultation with the community a long-term facilities plan which very clearly indicates that there is an immediate need for more schools in that region of the district.
"I am very proud to have been part of a board that secured the funding and successfully opened 2 beautiful new K-5 schools, and a stunning new middle school. We know the need for more schools is very real and urgent. I have continued to be very focused on advocating for the funding to build more schools in Willoughby, and it is critical that we continue to lobby government for the necessary capital funding."
Strengthening working relationships with all 91原创's education partners has been a priority for her. For the past three years, the board has met regularly discuss the issues that matter to the partner groups and has worked hard to improve the lines of communication.
"I believe strongly in the core values of our district and in our mission to inspire all learners to reach their full potential and create a positive legacy for the future. I am so excited to continue the work that we have started. I have the knowledge and experience, the caring and the commitment and I will continue to work very hard to bring a balanced, open and accountable voice to the board table."
She is running as an independent. She can be reached by email at alisonmcveigh2011@gmail.com
