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MH PUBLIC SCHOOL DIVISION TRUSTEE CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
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Do you support Policy 622, the district's policy on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity? Why? Or why not?
The district's bus transportation deficit is an ongoing and serious concern. How will you as a trustee address this deficit in the district's budget if no new money is provided by the provincial government?
If elected as trustee, what role do you feel that position has in guidance of district policies on better inclusion and provision of services for students with special needs?
Greg Bender
1 Yes. ALL students must have access to education in a safe and caring environment. This policy
(622) can provide students an opportunity to be who they are without the fear of reprisals. A co-ordinated and consultative process exists in Board Policy that requires any new policy be sent to co-ordinating committee. Representatives include board, board executive, teacher, custodial and parent groups. Research of existing policies for new policies are scrutinized to find the best fit. Revisions, questions or developments can return numerous times before the final policy is approved at the open board meeting. Even then it can still go back for further revision. Board policy is not made in isolation as mechanisms are in place to provide collaborative contributions.
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Deficits in any portion of school budgets are an ongoing concern as public dollars need to be accounted for to the Minister. Some dollars are “enveloped” to specific areas and can not be spent elsewhere. Efficiencies and savings in other spending areas are sometimes able to supplement deficits in areas such as transportation. Surpluses from previous years can offset deficits in the other areas. This eventually allows for balanced budgets in the final accounting process. I have always supported balanced budgets and District 76 has been fortunate in past years to find solutions. I believe funding dollars need to stay within the classrooms. I will continue to push for balanced budgets. Through our provincial ASBA, I will advocate also for adequate funding in all areas of education.
I learned very early in my previous terms that personal agendas are not necessarily the priority
over the complexities of governing the District. They can take a very long time to evolve within the global governance for the Board. Learning in the classroom takes precedence. Teachers can not teach when they encounter a myriad of issues from special needs, behaviour, family and mental health, inclusion and so on. This is why we must have these types of resources and supports available, both in the classroom and available when needed. Trustees are advocates for ALL students. Many programs and settings have been piloted and adapted within the district over the years to assist teachers to teach in the classroom. As a trustee, policies can be refined and enhanced to ensure we are meeting the needs of students in the classroom.
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Celina Symmonds
1 I support policy 622. This Policy is written with sound and clear language and follows the
instruction given to School Districts by the province of Alberta. This policy speaks to children having the right to be who they are without being bullied and to be able to access supports from peers as well as faculty without worry of negative consequence. I would hope if my child was confused about any issue that they would feel safe to come and talk to me about it but failing that I am ever grateful that my children have supportive adults to talk to within the School District. Our society has lost too many children to suicide because they felt alone and had no one to talk to. I support creating safety so all children feel supported and no child ever has to feel that they do not have worth.
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There are no easy answers to the deficit position of any organization and there are only two ways I know of to solve a deficit: cut spending or raise revenue. As we saw with city transit the option of cutting back comes with challenges like availability and significant hardship while charging parents can also come with hardship for some. I would start by finding out if any opportunity with the city has been explored in regards to transit. In particular older children and high school students may be able to use the greater transit system more readily and it may increase city revenue while cutting cost for School Districts. I am unsure if this is something that has been investigated, but it would certainly be a possible opportunity.
In my opinion being a trustee comes with the responsibility to advocate within government for the needs of children and parents within our schools. Inclusive education needs to take into consideration all students, not just those with different learning needs. Inclusion does not mean that we sacrifice the education of one student for another, it means that all students have the right to have an equal opportunity to education. I am a parent of four children, all with different needs. I have seen first hand the hardship on teachers and the lack of resources in classrooms to handle all of the different learning needs of children in the classroom. This is 100 per cent an issue of advocacy for appropriate dollars to have proper supports in classrooms so that all children can learn effectively.
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