“Much like anyone that get into politics, I believe we all want to make a difference and do the right thing. In this case, I have a son in the school system so I have some added skin in the game, and I want to see if I can make a difference for his future as well.”

Why do you want to be a school board trustee?

Much like anyone that get into politics, I believe we all want to make a difference and do the right thing. In this case, I have a son in the school system so I have some added skin in the game, and I want to see if I can make a difference for his future as well.

What’s your background and experience, and how do you think that’s relevant to the job?

I have worked all my life, and I have also been a student. I operate both in the non-profit sector, but also own a private business that I have run for the last 20+ years or so. That being said, we cannot keep doing the same old things forever, people and systems need to evolve. Over the past several years, I have had the opportunity to join and be a part of several boards and committees in and around the city.  The most relevant I would say is this past June, I completed a two year term on the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Education Council for the Upper Grand District School Board, while I only sat as a parent on council, it gave me great insights and understandings of the inner working of the school board and its operations. I also worked as a school bus driver for several years and feel this job is relevant to many issues taking form within the school system at this time.

How do you see your role as a trustee? What are your main responsibilities?

As I understand it, trustees have several responsibilities from Governance and Leadership to Community Representation and Engagement, as well as financial responsibilities like monitoring budgets and ensuring responsible use of public funds. It can also be seen as an advocacy role and a bridge between the community and the board. I don’t expect it to be easy, but I have noticed over the years at the municipal election level it is often an overlooked position

Like many governments and boards, school trustees are facing a budget crunch. Without an increase in provincial funding, how do propose to ensure that your board balances student needs with fiscal prudence?

There is always a way to get through tough times, now more than ever we all have to keep this in mind, especially with recent take overs at the provincial level of several school boards across the province.  At the FNMI Education Council we were always subject to the wider board policy and budget constraints, but managed to find balance and equitable programming for Indigenous Students board wide. The budget crunch has already began and most likely will continue for the foreseeable future

How will you support teachers and education workers as they begin contract negotiations this fall? How will you support parents concerned about labour disruption?

As a parent myself this is always a concern. We all felt it during pre-covid rotating strikes and even into lockdown when teachers were forced to move online. Most of our children are still recovering and building back their confidence since that time, As much as we need to support educators through these times, I think we all need to keep the children top of mind when making decisions that will having long lasting effects on their mental health and wellbeing

Guelph is a rapidly growing town, how will you ensure that the school system is able to grow and accommodate the new students and the changing demographics?

Personally the changing demographics is only going to be a benefit to our children especially. One major thing I have noticed in this city, is the bias, the racism and the prejudices that are so engrained in the education system and how they effect young minds when they are only beginning to form their own opinions, these things are learned and taught, they are not naturally occurring.  My belief is that the school board need to take an Anti-Racist stance from this point forward to combat systemic biases that have remained in Guelph for so long.

Absenteeism seems to be a growing problem in Ontario high schools, what are the ways that you can support teachers and administrators to assure that students are getting the proper instruction?

I think this also relates to the previous question.  There needs to be a level of self-education involved in learning and understanding the issues at play here. The City of Guelph and its surrounding areas are far from equitable. This needs to be acknowledged at all levels of governance in order the right the road for change and improvement at all levels. This goes for Educators and students alike.

School safety is a big concern, from behavioural issues to school resource officers. How can schools be safe places for learning while also not making it feel like kids are learning in a security state?

I think this also comes down to being consistent with our students and having effective resources in place to help address these concerns, as much as I understand just how much teachers are taking on when they get into the profession.  Much of what I have seen and experienced in recent years when it come to Behavioural issues specifically is quite a hands-off approach to disciplinary action when these children act out in destructive and/or violent ways.  I don’t always believe police are the answer to everything in these situations, mental health First aid supports and again, Education on specific issues and trends need to be taken in account when handling children with specific and special needs

If you get elected to be a trustee, and considering the increase in provincial influence, do you think you will serve a full four year term?

I will definitely work my hardest to complete the term. If we’re lucky this region may be spared from either consolidation or complete dismantlement at the provincial level, but I will work everyday to ensure this does not happen.

Let’s say I don’t have kids, and thus no proverbial “skin in the game” when it comes to my local school, why should I care about who’s my school board trustee?

Whether you have kids or not, this is still your tax dollars at play. Elections, school boards, the change over in local politics can have pretty drastic effects on a house hold whether we participate or not.  I encourage everyone to participate at the local level, as it is the very closest to home.

Is there anything else you want to tell voters as they make their decision?

I am raising my son in this city, he has been mistreated and harmed by the system already at his young age. My ultimate goal is to try to prevent any more harm caused to the education of children and young people overall. Community involvement is also important, as parents we need to speak up more often and get involved, one thing I have noticed at the classroom level is a lack of volunteering to help out the teachers when they need assistance. This takes some courage too, it also comes with requirements, a police check for one. The cost is minimal and can also be done for free with the proper documentation.  I say thing as well because if you want to know more about what is going on in the schools, this is an important step. I have has a clear background check since the day my son started school, and due to my educational and professional background, i also hold a security clearance at the Federal Government level. It has been brought to my attention that many folks that come into your children’s schools are not subject to these rules, that includes people that are in close contact with the kids, such as presenters(as an example).