Information for BCTF members: 

 Trustee candidates respond to teachers' questions regarding the October 2022 municipal election:

Answers to PRNTA Questions from Helen Gilbert

1. Why are you running for the position of School Trustee?

I would like to continue to serve the children and families of the district. All

students need the opportunity to reach their full potential and this has been my

focus during my teaching career and time on the board. In my first term as a

trustee, I learned ways to make a difference. I would like the opportunity to

continue to use this knowledge for a second term.

2. How will you create and maintain collaborative relationships with partner groups:

teachers, support staff, District Staff?

In my current role as chair of the board I have had the opportunity to be involved

with boards from around the province. I realize that the collaborative relationships

in our district are strong and should not be taken for granted. I would like to

maintain and enhance existing relationships. To do this I would continue to be

available to people, and regularly attend all meetings that go with the roles I have.

(District Health and Safety Committee, Labour Management Meetings)

I show my support of school staff by participating in school events such as the

elementary badminton tournament and preschool programs.

This term trustees have shown personal involvement in staff appreciation events

like the apple delivery, as well as long service and retirement events. I look forward

to continuing to make this happen and visiting schools for apple delivery in October.

Appreciation of the extraordinary work done by all staff during COVID times was

important to the board.

3. Teacher recruitment and retention is a huge issue in Peace River North. What steps

will you take to address shortages?

This concern was one that had me run as a trustee for my initial term. Both the

board and myself have done a considerable amount of advocacy around this issue.

The issue is multifaceted and there are many factors to be considered. Every

opportunity to advocate for needs specific to the north is taken. This advocacy has

included providing a district response to the Funding Formula Review, advocating

for improvements to the service provided by the Teacher Regulation Branch and

seeking support from other local governments to speak out on our behalf. We keep

building on our recruiting efforts. The recent Financial Standing Committee

recommendations reflect some of our advocacy work. One recommendation

contains wording that was specific to our presentation.

Pg. 83/84 Report on Budget 2023 Consultation

Operational Funding

164. Increase funding for K-12 education in recognition of increased operational

costs and unique regional needs.

165. Consider factors that affect equity of opportunity for students in school

districts that serve rural and remote communities, especially as it related to

transportation, operations, recruitment, and retention.

167. Explore measures to recruit and retain teachers, including by providing

incentives, especially for teachers in rural and remote communities.

I would like the opportunity to follow up to make sure that these recommendations

get the action they deserve. I look forward to working with the PRNTA on this

follow up. The PRNTA’s presentation to the Financial Standing Committee is also

reflected in these recommendations.

Teachers need qualified support personnel in their classrooms. The board supports

training opportunities for educational assistants and we are involved with the dual

credit Early Childhood Education Program. Strain on teachers is increased when

they do not have well trained support staff working alongside them. Job satisfaction

is a factor in retention.

I can expand further on the answer to this question when we meet.

4. Should public funds from taxpayers be used to support private schools?

Private schools should not be funded at the same level public schools are. These

schools should be funded at a significantly lower level if they are offering the

provincial curriculum. Parents of students attending private schools contribute to

public funds through their taxes. If they are supporting the goals of public education

through a focus on provincial curriculum there should be some benefit. Private

schools do not serve communities in the same way public schools do so there should

be a funding difference.

5. What is your view of the Foundation Skills Assessment?

The Ministry of Education needs a common provincial assessment tool to measure

the success of our system and be accountable to the public. The

Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA) serves this purpose but there is room for

improvement in this tool or the development of a new tool. Recent changes to the

Literacy assessment reflect a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education

and other partner groups including teachers.

One of our education partners FNESC (First Nations Education Steering Committee

advocate for the continuation of the FSA because it is tool that shows systemic

inequality which needs to be addressed.

I do not support the Fraser Institute’s misuse and abuse of these results to rank

schools. I will continue to support the BC School Trustee Association’s efforts to

have this addressed.

6. What solutions do you propose to address the critical shortage of qualified teachers

we are facing?

Follow up related to the Funding Formula Review recommendations outlined in my

answer to Question 3 is a must.

We have raised the concept of incentives like those that they have in Northern

Alberta for teachers working in rural and remote communities as a possible way of

addressing this shortage. We know that this incentive is a factor in former district

students starting and maintaining a teaching career in Alberta rather than returning

to their hometown.

Forgivable loan programs like those offered in health care should also be looked at

for education.

We have advocated for AHCOTE to run at a lower level of enrolment than what is

expected in larger centres. Keeping the program active even in years where the

class is not full helps increase the number of qualified teachers available to us.

These are incentives that we have asked other school districts and levels of

government to support.

Increasing opportunities to grow our own teachers who are committed to our

community will also be a focus.

Currently we have local residents that are working through the University of

Calgary online teacher education program this program requires a small amount of

time to be spent on campus. We would like to see the development of a BC fully on

line program that would allow local residents to pursue an education degree and

remain in the community. An online option would also allow individual’s to work to

meet family commitments while taking courses.

7. How will you ensure public schools are safe and inclusive for all students-especially

our most vulnerable learners?

The core values that guide the district’s work are: respect, compassion, honesty,

responsibility, relationships. Goal 2 of our Framework for Enhancing Learning-

Increase Social/Emotional Competency reflects the importance of these values.

When students feel respected, they are more able to show compassion and take

responsibility for themselves and others. School safety is enhanced when everyone

focuses on building a community of respect

The importance of this area is recognized in the allocation of surplus for an

additional Social Emotional Learning staff member for this school year. Currently

the district is part way through an equity scan. When this scan is complete, I will

work to make sure the identified areas of need are addressed.

We work to allocate the available funds to meet the needs of our most vulnerable

learners.

Our facilities need to be welcoming and safe. Within the funding available to us

through our Annual Facilities Grant, we do upgrades to our facilities. With the

opening of ARYES and MMMCS space has been created in our in town elementary

schools. Remodelling of spaces within our in town elementary schools serves the

needs of students and staff. Upgrades need to continue on some of our rural

schools.

8. What steps will you take to advocate for the funding required to operate a free,

inclusive, quality public school system?

We will continue to work towards funding that reflects the needs of our community.

Having an informed and engaged board is essential. My commitment has been

demonstrated in my work this term. I will continue to listen and be a voice for

students, families, staff and the north.

 

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year

Once again, teachers are called upon to do extraordinary things during extraordinary times.  It is remarkable how teachers step up and do their best each year with students.  You are to be commended for your professionalism and dedication! 

Please take good care of yourselves as the school year proceeds.  Remember that we are better able to do our work when we pay attention to our own health & wellness.  The BCTF/PRNTA have programs to help support members as well as the benefits we have from the School District through our Collective Agreement.  Please reach out to the local office for more information.

Our thoughts go out to the people of Hudson's Hope and we hope that you will be safely back in your homes soon.