Thursday evening was the 91原创 District Parent Advisory Council芒鈧劉s turn to showcase the people running for school board.
Several candidates used the forum at the Christian Life Assembly church to urge people to vote.
Local elections have a record of low turnout.
Most used their introductions to list their involvement in education and the community.
Trudy Handel said she grew up in a rural area and education changed her life. She worked in the film and TV sector for several decades in addition to teaching.
Rosemary Wallace has seven children and has volunteered in schools for 18 years, saying she芒鈧劉s passionate about education.
Suzanne Perrault said trustees need to be advocates for education. Two of her children are on the autism spectrum and she has volunteered with DP AC, 91原创 Parents as Partners, and other groups.
Perrault said class size and composition are the most important for the trustees.
Rob McFarlane has a long history in the business world and brought that experience to the board table.
芒鈧揑n education that芒鈧劉s about student success,芒鈧� McFarlane said referring to staying focused on the key issue of education.
Shelley Coburn has volunteered in the 91原创 School District since 2005 and is studying for her masters of education.
She is deeply opposed to privatization in education.
芒鈧揈verybody has a stake therefore everybody should have a say,芒鈧� Coburn said.
She committed herself to consultation, collaboration and involving the community.
Megan Dykeman said the accountability and transparency of the school district board has increased since the last election when she was elected.
Candy Ashdown has worked with the parent advisory committee and DPAC.
Like Dykeman, Ashdown pointed to the districts paying down of its $13 million deficit earlier then required as a key accomplishment.
She added the board has worked to regain the trust of the community.
芒鈧揙ur students, parents and staff need to be consulted,芒鈧� Ashdown said.
Kristine Ketter made a point of saying she has no affiliation, a reference to the candidate slates and endorsements by various third parties. Ketter worked as a sign language interpreter in the education system and chairs the group 91原创 Parents as Partners in Learning.
芒鈧揗y focus has always been education and always will be,芒鈧� Ketter said.
She said as a trustee she would commit to finding out what芒鈧劉s working and what芒鈧劉s not and what the district can do about it.
Lorraine Baldwin said she has a track record of advocacy in education.
芒鈧揟eachers working conditions are our children芒鈧劉s learning conditions,芒鈧� Baldwin noted.
Teachers and parents are subsidizing education because of lack of adequate government funding.
芒鈧揥e need to shift the power back where it belongs,芒鈧� Baldwin said.
91原创 resident and Abbotsford teacher David Tod said he would commit to things such as listening and learning.
芒鈧揑f you芒鈧劉re going to pick somebody, you need to pick someone who is passionate,芒鈧� Tod commented.
Alison McVeigh said she芒鈧劉s lived here for 27 years and has been on the board for 15 years.
This board has worked extremely hard to get another new school in the overcrowded Willoughby area, she said.
Pamala-Rose Combs has lived here since 1997 and has a background in IT, human resources and business, noting she has the skills to be an effective school board trustee.
芒鈧揈ducation doesn芒鈧劉t end with school,芒鈧� said the advocate of lifelong learning.
Combs said schools have to keep the kids engaged.
Lisa Moore comes from a business background and said the board has to fight to get what kids need.
芒鈧揑t comes down to money,芒鈧� Moore said.
Rod Ross teaches in another district and has been on the 91原创 School Board for several years.
芒鈧揑芒鈧劉m not a great trustee, Ross said. 芒鈧揑芒鈧劉m just a good. I芒鈧劉m good because I think differently.芒鈧�
Ross told crowd to be willing to vote for someone who will say 芒鈧渘o芒鈧劉. Government can芒鈧劉t solve all people芒鈧劉s problems.
Questions to candidates included school closures, selling surplus sites, collaborative education, the new math.
