Submitted to the Alaska Highway News on October 2, 2014
Wanted:
Public School Advocates
Supporters
of a strong public education system are urged to consider lending their voices
to the cause by letting their name stand for election to the position of school
trustee in School District #60 this fall. The Civic Elections taking
place on November 15th will be electing
candidates for an unprecedented 4-year term, and candidates must declare their
intention to run by October 10th.
An
important role of a school trustee is to be the voice of the public on
education issues. That public voice was absent in our district during the
recent job action, and we want to encourage candidates to run who are willing
to speak publicly on behalf of public education.
While
there is labor peace in education for the time being, the issue of underfunding
remains very much at the forefront. BC remains far below the national
average of per pupil spending by government, and the continued lack of services
and resources still plagues our students. Parents have called for more support
for students and classrooms, and trustees have the obligation to pursue these
resources on behalf of their constituents.
We
need citizens who are passionate about making improvements to public education
to take on this challenge. The provincial government has not demonstrated the
willingness to adequately fund the public education system, and only reached a
contract with teachers because of public pressure. We need to elect
trustees who will embody the voice of the public and maintain that pressure.
If you value public education, please consider running for School Trustee.
Our children and grandchildren deserve a better-funded public education system.
Kevin
Frankham, Local Elections Chair
Michele
Wiebe, President Peace River North Teachers’ Association
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