Saying that she is proud to have been endorsed by CUPE locals and the 91原创 Teachers Association who represent workers in the 91原创 School District, Megan Dykeman vows to be an independent school trustee whose only affiliation will be to the taxpayers and voters of 91原创.
Dykeman said trustees 鈥渨ere elected on our individual merit,鈥� took the seat vacated by Steve Burton, who did not seek re-election in the Township.
In the City, Candy Ashdown defeated two-term trustee Stacey Cody.
Like Dykeman, Ashdown vows to be an independent trustee on a board that has been divided on a number of issues, including school closures, and overspending which left the district $13.5 million in debt.
Ashdown鈥檚 campaigning was curtailed as she spent many hours at the hospital bedside of her father, Lyle Pona, who had a kidney transplant. Ashdown鈥檚 mother, Diane Pona, is a former school trustee.
Ashdown said that the biggest strength she will bring to the board is her willingness to work with everyone and to listen with respect.
鈥淚 believe it鈥檚 important to encourage and value dialogue and input from students, parents, teachers and staff in the community,鈥� Ashdown said.
She said that she will 鈥渁bsolutely鈥� serve as an independent trustee.
Both newcomers have children in 91原创鈥檚 public schools.
When she decided to run in the election, Dykeman took a leave of absence as president of the District Parents Advisory Committee. She said on Monday that following her election as trustee, she has stepped down from the position.
Cody said she was disappointed but not shocked at her defeat.
鈥淭here are still some people in 91原创 City who are upset with the Uplands decision,鈥� Cody said, referring to a proposal to examine the possibility of returning Uplands Elementary to a full Kindergarten to Grade 7 format.
Like other elementary schools in the south-central region of the 91原创 School District, Uplands became a K to Grade 5 school. The change followed the contentious reconfiguration of H.D. Stafford Secondary to a Grade 6 to 8 Middle School, and 91原创 Secondary鈥檚 to a Grade 9-12 school.
Cody said that she will miss her job as a trustee, but likes the fact that her new job as a student support co-ordinator keeps involved with children.
Cody said she was proud of her six years on the board.
鈥淚 never once made a decision that was not based on children鈥檚 best interests.鈥�
