We all know they’re important, but what exactly do school trustees do? With the Toronto District School Trustee elections coming up at the end of October, every Torontonian should know what powers trustees have and what each candidate has to offer.
Here look only at the mid-town Toronto District School Trustee candidates.
Trustees approve the annual school board budget, write the policies that guide your child’s education, monitor programs and, perhaps most importantly to voters, advocate for the constituents in their ward.
In other words, trustees play many important roles that directly influence education.
Also worth noting is that school board trustees serve a term of four years, so you cannot change your mind too often. The number of trustees elected in each area is based on the population in that area.
There are four school boards in Toronto: Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board, and the two French school districts. THe candidates for each can be viewed here:
1. Toronto District School Board Trustee Candidates
2. Toronto Catholic District School Board Trustee Candidates
3. Conseil scolaire de district du Centre Sud-Ouest
4. Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
Just before parents head out to vote for their school trustee representative on Oct. 25, The Epoch Times asked each candidate to tell us their mission statement and vision for the schools of Toronto. For more information about each candidate and the detailed Q&A, click on the name of the candidates below.
1. Toronto District School Board Trustee Candidates
Ward 8 (City Wards 15,16)
Goodman, Howard
Vassal, John
Xiao, Yu
Ward 11 (City Wards 21,22)
Chaleff-Freudenthaler, Adam
Laskin, Shelley
Martin, Anthony
Tishman, Mark
Wiener, Mike
Ward 13 (City Wards 25,26)
Gershon, Gerri
Shahid, Muhammad
Ward 14 (City Wards 27,28)
Browne, Murphy
Gibbs, Judith
Hiles, Dustin
Moise, Chris
Ward, Sheila
2. Toronto Catholic District School Board Trustee Candidates
Ward 5 (City Wards 15,16,23,25)
Bonavota, Rosina
Corcoran, Robert
Deocampo, Angela
Greco, Mycheal
McDonald, Chris
Oulahen, Paul
Paton, Ann
Reid, Barrington
Rizzo, Maria
Ward 9 (City Wards 19,20,21,22,27,28)
Davis, Jo-Ann
LeBlanc-Miller, Catherine
Ward 11 (City Wards 26,29,30,31,32,34)
Kennedy, Angela
McCabe, Brad
Morrison, Kevin
Ward, Ryan
3. Conseil scolaire de district du Centre Sud-Ouest
Ward 2 (City Wards 16,23,24,25,26,33,34,35,36, 37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44)
Baeta, Julien
Guérin, François
Nzeyimana, Frederic
Ward 3 (City Wards 14,17,18,19,20,21,22,27,28, 29,30,31,32)
Bégin, Denys
L'Heureux, Jean-François
4. Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud
Ward 3 (City Wards 1,2,7,8,9,10,12,15,16,23,24, 25,33,34,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44)
Goodman, Howard
www.goodman4trustee.ca
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
I’ve had a successful and varied career in business:
- management consultant,
- software entrepreneur,
- traditional manufacturing, always with a clear focus on innovation, efficiency, and customer service.
I’ve been a:
- Trustee since 2003,
- VP Ontario Public School Boards Association since 2004,
- member of board and former vice-chair of Toronto Foundation for Student Success,
- member of the board of Curriculum Services Canada.
I grew up in Eglinton-Lawrence, where I’ve lived with my wife and sons
for the past 16 years. I’m a former full-time at-home dad and current proud TDSB parent, with a BASc (Engineering Science – Geophysics , U of T. Age 59.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
Our children and our city deserve a TDSB Board on which every Trustee is experienced, capable, committed and independent. I am:
* Experienced – A life-time in business, plus seven years as TDSB Trustee, give me the skills to make a difference for our children, our schools, and our city
* Capable – I have a proven record of influencing the direction of education in Toronto and across Ontario
* Committed – I spend 50+ hours/week working as your Trustee, and am a proud TDSB parent
* Independent – I belong to no political party and owe no favours to any union or interest group
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
Eglinton-Lawrence is a very diverse ward, composed of many distinct neighbourhoods each with its own “most important issue”. To pick just one would indicate that one neighbourhood was more important than all the others.
Among these various local “most important issues” are:
- easing school overcrowding due to steadily increased enrolments over the past few years
- protecting long-established excellent day-cares from the threats created by all-day kindergarten
- increasing academic courses offered in local secondary schools and improving access to schools under optional attendance
- rationalizing school boundaries
- concerns about how to keep small neighbourhood schools open
- the need for increased special education support
Each of these issues requires a different approach. Detailing them all would exceed the space limitations permitted here. In general, I will use the approach that I have brought to all the issues that I have dealt with in my seven years as Trustee: to use all my influence with staff, other Trustees, and the Province to ensure that every potential solution is explored and evaluated.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
The work that I will do will be a continuation of the work that I have done to date. Among the items that I will be addressing very early in the term will be:
- overcrowding of schools in the east portion of the ward including possible changes to school boundaries
- increasing the scope of academic courses offered at Fleming/Bathurst as part of the school move
- ensuring that our response to concerns about the success of boys in school is effective, and
- lobbying the Province to ensure that their rules for all-day kindergarten don’t damage our community day-cares
Vassal, John
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
My name is John Vassal and I am running for the position of Toronto District School Board Trustee in the Eglinton-Lawrence riding Ward 8. I am 25 years old and have been a resident of the area my entire life. I have attended many of the schools in this riding and have recent first hand memories of the difficulties that both schools and students are facing. I graduated from George Brown College in 2006, having completed a three year Business Administration: Marketing program. I currently work for a major Canadian financial institution at their regional head office. I know the importance of effective budgeting and planning and will utilize these skills that I have developed over the years. I plan to bring a fresh perspective to the TDSB. I promise to you that I will strive to make as much positive change as possible to our schools in my next four years in office.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I know that I am the right person for the job because I offer a fresh new perspective to our educational system. I am energetic, enthusiastic and I do not give up easily. I offer a youthful perspective, having graduated from our Toronto Public school system only seven years ago. Too often, decisions affecting the future of our children are decided by those who do not remember what it was like in our schools. The same stale ideas are thrown back and forth without any real positive results. I will do my best to put an end to this approach.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
What I have heard from our community is that the two most pressing issues facing both parents and students are those of safety and maintenance of our crumbling schools. A child must feel safe and secure in a clean and healthy environment in order to prosper. I will work closely with parents, teachers, support staff, principals and community leaders to identify and correct as many issues concerning both safety and maintenance throughout my ward. It is time for the school board to put aside its petty differences and work together.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
Many candidates and incumbents have talked about fixing the funding formula or getting more funding to our educational system. Unfortunately, no one is willing to step up to the plate and take the responsibility of leading the charge for more funding. I would personally take on this extra responsibility and do my best to rally our troops together and make our voices heard. The Ontario government will realize how important our public schools are to the residents of Ontario and how a bigger commitment from the province is need to ensure a positive future for our children. Remember, these children who are currently in our educational system will one day be leading this country. They will be our doctors, lawyers, police officers, and professionals. We need to invest in them today to better assure both Canada’s and our own future. Thank you.
Xiao, Yu
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Chaleff-Freudenthaler, Adam
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Laskin, Shelley
www.shelleylaskin.ca
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
I am and have been a champion for strong schools and healthy communities. As a trustee from 1997 to 2003 and former Board Chair, I was able to translate this vision into action through creating new policies, securing more resources for critical programs and infrastructure and promoting greater involvement of community members. As an active volunteer in local school councils for 20 years and community groups such as the South Eglinton Ratepayers and Residents Association and my synagogue, I have made a difference. I have also contributed to the goals of national and provincial organizations such as the Children’s Clearance Committee of Advertising Standards Canada, Legal Aid Ontario, The Canadian Centre for Quality Education and Opportunity and the Ontario Public School Boards Association.
With my Bachelor of Arts degree and a graduate diploma in Cartography, I blend planning and action. I am experienced in leading and planning programs, projects and business improvements in both the public and private sector. For example, I have managed various projects within the federal and provincial government and run my own business. As senior advisor at the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, I promote organizational effectiveness, ensuring projects are well conceived and implemented. I am 53 years old and have lived in St Paul’s since 1982.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I am an experienced trustee with a track record of strengthening public education. Having served as board chair, I have an in-depth understanding of the TDSB and know what it takes to get results. I have negotiated improvements to local schools including the rebuilding of North Toronto Collegiate Institute; secured more funding for literacy centres, anti-bullying, early learning and parenting programs; and championed ground breaking policies on community involvement, Eco-Schools, equity, literacy, academic excellence, school safety and healthy schools. I have a solid reputation as an innovative thinker, problem-solver and consensus builder. I am able to bring people together to achieve a common vision. Most importantly, I am a parent of three graduates of Toronto’s public schools and was active in creating responsive and vibrant schools as a volunteer in their schools.
I am passionate about public education and bring a “can do’’ attitude to finding solutions. As your trustee, I look forward to hearing your concerns and ideas and working with you and your neighbours to build on innovations that exist, champion needed changes and promote excellence so that our children have the supports they need to succeed.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
Parents, educators, students and community members are concerned about the future of their local schools and whether they will continue to meet their needs. They want to be actively involved in shaping this future be it issues of redevelopment, changing enrolment, adequate funding, promoting teacher excellence, responding to those with special needs, ensuring equity, providing day care and other community services and most importantly, ensuring children have the supports they need to reach their full potential.
As a trustee, I plan to:
* ensure the voices of students, parents, educators and community members are reflected in decision-making;
* increase the number of needed resources in schools and support the excellence of teachers;
* create and implement a plan for financial stability;
* reduce the impact of poverty in our schools;
* negotiate innovative partnerships to improve school buildings and grounds,
* increase community access, and fund full service schools.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
The first problem I would address is the fallout from the Accommodation Review Committees (ARCs) that were recently held in the Ward that recommended the future use of schools. Community members know that many schools are aging, need repairs, are under-used or stretched to capacity and although the ARCs provided recommendations approved by the Board, implementation ensuring the integrity of programs for students is not defined.
I believe that innovative solutions can be found to these problems but they will need to vary depending on local needs and realities. A plan and any changes will only be effective if it is agreed to through collaboration and consultation with affected students, parents and community members. Effective mechanisms for such engagement need to be in place. I have been able to facilitate, negotiate and champion this type of collaboration before to strengthen schools and build consensus.
In addition, I will;
- continue to advocate for differentiated capital funding from the province in order to build schools in overcrowded areas and fix aging infrastructure;
- build new partnerships so that schools with lower enrollment can be used to provide other community services; and
- promote new strategies to attract students back to the public system.
Martin, Anthony
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Tishman, Mark
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
Mark Tishman is a lifetime resident of St. Paul’s. He attended Cedarvale, Arlington, and Forest Hill. He first began working with children in high school where he initially taught sports instruction before becoming a Leadership councilor at the Walden Leadership Program for high school students. He later began to develop physical and social interaction skills for autistic children, an area he is still heavily involved in today. For the past two years, Mark has volunteer with the Toronto Police Services 13th Division Community Police Liaison Committee as the Executive Treasurer where he organized numerous safety assessments, community barbecues, and clean-up days. He was also a founding member of the Oakwood Village Business Improvement Association steering committee.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I have worked with children for over half my life and want to bring my experience in children’s education to the board and to your school. I understand from my work with autistic children, that not every child learns through the same methods. For too long the board has treated every student the exact same and tried to teach as such. We need to give teachers the ability to adapt and evolve their teaching methods to suite the students individual needs.
One of the most important roles for a trustee is accessibility and accountability and that is why I promise to hold monthly ward forum meetings and I will attempt to attend every parent council meeting for every school.
To be a good trustee one needs to understand the local details in order to see the big picture. Your trustee needs to realize that they are only one of 22 trustees, and to accomplish our communities goals our trustee must be able to build a consensus and work with the other trustees.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
Each school has its own unique issues to deal with. In the West end there is the issue of the shortsighted ARC recommendation of closing and selling Arlington, while in the ARC in the East speaks of the “redevelopment” of Davisville. The way in which these two specific ARC’s have been handled is atrocious. The lack of communication between the board, parents and students of these schools is unconscionable and needs to be dealt with immediately.
We have great teachers in J.R. Wilcox and Cottingham who consistently get shuffled every year. We have children eating off the floors at Cedarvale and Maurice Cody because there’s no room for tables and chairs. We are going to have wireless internet at Eglinton but obsolete computers that aren’t compatible with it.
Every school has its own needs and problems to be dealt with, but each schools problem must be dealt with individually to ensure the solutions work not only for that school, but for the students, parents and community.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
If elected the my first act would be to increase the avenues of communication between myself and all parents. I will hold regular ward forum meetings where every parent from every school is invited to attend, and I will attempt to attend every parent council meeting for every school.
St. Paul’s is such as diverse community, that no blanket solution will help every school, I will listen to the students and parents needs and wants from every school to ensure a solution that works for them.
I would introduce edible education to the grade school curriculum to help combat childhood obesity and to teach proper nutrition. If implemented properly we could then begin to hold farmers markets at the school with the revenues generated going directly to that school to pay for upgrades and new programming for the students.
I plan to turn under-enrolled schools into community hubs by renting out the extra rooms to programs and activities that can benefit and enhance our students learning experiences. We can rent rooms out to tutoring workshops, mentoring programs, youth employment services any program or activity, so long as its educational and beneficial to our students.
Wiener, Mike
www.mikewiener.ca
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Gershon, Gerri
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Shahid, Muhammad
1. Introduction - Name, age, profession.
Muhammad Shahid, 42, Project Manager
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
There are many reasons why I think I should be elected as a school trustee in Don Valley West, for example:
As a professional project manager, I have over 15 years of experience managing multi-million dollar projects. This means that he is well trained in getting things done on time, within budget, and with limited resources.
Second, I am a new candidate and not a career politician. This means that my fresh, new perspective will help generate new solutions to old problems.
Third, I understand the needs of the diverse communities in Don Valley West. This means that I will truly represent these communities and connect them with the publicly funded education system.
Fourth, I am a parent, my children go to the same education system; I understand the frustrations and aspirations of young parents, I will stand up for families against special interest groups.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
It is very difficult question as there are many important issues in different part in the Ward - Don Valley West, but the most serious one is overcrowded schools. For years, there are too many portable classrooms in many schools and some school are currently operating significantly over capacity of their planned occupancy. Parents are extremely concerned about the overcrowding in schools. Many students eat lunch on the floor in corridors, classes are held in rooms not designed for that purpose, our outdoor playing fields have been taken over by portables, and in some cases two classes are held at the same time in one room. Recently, The Board has sold off some surplus properties, the first priority of allocating those funds should be the area where enrolment has been increasing. Unfortunately, the funds generated from selling off the properties, used in some other priorities. If elected, I will make sure the those funds are used in expansion of the overcrowded schools on a priority basis and advocate the needs of such areas until the situation is resolved.
Browne, Murphy
www.electmurphybrowneward14.blogspot.com
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
My name is Murphy Browne. I am a broadcaster, educator and writer. I worked for the TDSB as an Art Instructor in the Concurrent/Heritage Language Program and as an International Languages Instructor. I am a broadcaster with CKLN 88.1 FM hosting Tuesday Word of Mouth and co-hosting Frequency Feminisms. I write a column which is published weekly in Share newspaper.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I have the experience of advocating for parents and students for many years at the school and Board level. This experience comes from being a member of advocacy groups as well as being in a leadership position (co-chair) in groups such as the Campaign for Public Education, the Parent Community Network and the Organization of Parents of Black Children. As a member of these education advocacy groups I worked with community groups, made deputations to the TDSB and other elected bodies, met with the Minister of Education and other elected officials to discuss the education of our students. At the school level I have served as chair of Parent Councils and representative on ward council. I worked as a lunchroom supervisor, Concurrent/Art Instructor, Heritage Language Instructor and International Languages Instructor at the Toronto Board of Education and the Toronto District School Board for 22 years. I have demonstrated the ability to advocate for adult learners as past President of the student union that represents part-time and mature students at the University of Toronto’s three campuses. My experience of working with various groups includes volunteering as a Guider with Girl Guides of Canada where I was a Diversity Awareness Trainer.
I have lived in ward 14 since 1985 taking part in the life of the community. As a member of this community I made deputations to City Hall in support of building what is now the Wellesley Community Centre and St Jamestown library. I am a founding member of the St Jamestown Safety Committee and contributed to the newsletter that the committee published on a regular basis. I also served on the Board of Central Neighbourhood House and was elected President of the Board.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
There are several issues that parents and caretakers in ward 14 have identified. Since ward 14 is an extremely diverse ward it is important that people’s voices are heard and not any one being of more importance than others. Safety is an important issue with many people as well as school environment. Most parents I have spoken with are concerned that their children be in an environment where they can learn. Parents want their children to be successful and would like to be kept informed in a timely manner and not when they are told at reporting time that their child is failing. Parents from some immigrant communities have expressed that they want their children to have access to post secondary education and are concerned at what they see as streaming under another guise. The funding formula has also been a concern of parents since that contributes to the learning environment (cleanliness of school buildings.)
To address these issues I would ensure attendance at Parent Council meetings and the establishment of a Ward Council to keep parents informed. I would also arrange workshops and information sessions for parents who cannot attend Parent Council or Ward Council meetings.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
As trustee the first problem I would address is the safety concern of parents by having a safety audit of the schools in the ward. Parents would then be informed by newsletter, translated into the main languages identified in the ward. This would be followed by a community meeting to give parents, caretakers and community an opportunity to ask questions and receive information.
Gibbs, Judith
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Hiles, Dustin
www.dustinhiles.com
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Moise, Chris
www.chrismoise.ca
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
Chris Moise, 37, Hospital Counsellor, and Small Business Owner
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
In the two decades under the current incumbent, the quality of our school building as and education has continued to slide in Toronto Centre-Rosedale. Buildings have deteriorated, many still contain asbestos, our test scores are below the provincial average and public school properties are being sold to private developers. My plan follows a growing model in Europe and the US that fully utilizes schools as community hubs, thereby reinvesting in schools and urban neighbourhoods at the same time.
I bring a diverse skill set as a small business owner, emergency ward counsellor and former police officer to the Board. Public service positions need new and fresh ideas to address long-standing problems and to create long-term solutions not based on political gain. I am the only candidate who has shown a willingness to go to residents, to canvass their opinions, listen to their concerns and to ask for their votes. This is the kind of Trustee I will be and what Toronto Centre-Rosedale deserves.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
Dropping scholastic achievement levels. Toronto students lag behind the rest of the province. My plan: 1) ensures adequate and multi-year funding from the provinces; 2) stops school closures by utilizing schools as community hubs, investing the entire community in the success of neighbourhood schools; and 3) stops cutting art, French, gym and music programmes from the curriculum.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
The lack of consultation and communication between the current Trustee and residents. I will implement an active outreach plan that begins by correcting the fact that Toronto Centre-Rosedale is one of the only areas of the TDSB with a vacant who’s Parent Involvement Advisory Committee (PIAC) member position.
Ward, Sheila
www.sheilaward.com
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Bonavota, Rosina
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Corcoran, Robert
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
My name is Robert Corcoran and I am running for Catholic School Board Trustee in Ward 5. I am a lifelong practicing Catholic, the last 17 years as a parishioner at St. Margaret of Scotland parish. I am a retired Professional Engineer, graduate of the University of Toronto. I am married to a retired teacher/principal who worked for the TCDSB for 30years.I have 3 adult children and three grandchildren. My wife, my children and myself were all educated in Toronto Catholic schools. I am keenly aware of the importance of a strong elementary foundation as a prerequisite to educational success. The Catholic school system provided this to my family. We are all university graduates...with additional degrees among us that include a PHD, 2 Master degrees etc. I want a system that provides academic excellence in an environment that supports our Catholic character, to continue to be available.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I believe I am the best candidate for this position for a number of reasons. Being retired means that I have the time to devote to this important responsibility. It also means that I do not have any career based potential conflict of interest issues. This is not a ’stepping stone' to other political office but a commitment to public service. My background as a professional engineer means that during my work life in industry, I practised the PEO Code of Ethics- in over 40 years, neither my ethics nor expenses were ever challenged. My most recent position was in the Purchasing department of the City of Toronto where I was involved in the tendering process and was transparent and accountable in spending taxpayers dollars. I am aware of educational issues at the TCDSB as a student, parent and volunteer. Most recently I volunteered for and was invited to join the Community Advisory Committee to the Ministry Supervisor of the TCDSB as a member at large. I served with Mr. Hartmann and Dr. Alway.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
The most pressing problems are board wide. In the short term, it is restoring public confidence and trust in our Catholic board following the Ministry takeover. This is the challenge in EVERY ward! This imposed supervision was a result of the previous board of trustees’ failure to balance the budget, one of their major responsibilities. In addition to this failure was the inappropriate use of expense accounts...as well as behaviour both of which have been well documented. This issue is important in it’s own right but also, in the long term, this renewed faith and trust in our board are essential because, as many believe, we will be faced with a challenge to our right to exist as a Catholic board, perhaps as early as the next provincial election. We must present a board that fosters academic excellence in a Catholic environment that is a model for all Torontonians.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
Besides leading by example to restore public trust, I have already set in motion a response to a local issue of a school closing. I have been in contact with the school CSAC chair and I am awaiting a confirmed meeting time with a promise to present their concerns to the Supervisor and if elected to the board. This will be a future concern as well as economic restraints and declining enrolment will lead to the closing of small schools. This issue has some particular characteristics worth researching, as well as ensuring that the accommodation and review policy has been adhered to.
Deocampo, Angela
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Greco, Mycheal
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
McDonald, Chris
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Oulahen, Paul
www.pauloulahen.com
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
My name is Paul Oulahen and I am 54 years old. I was born in Cobourg Ontario and I have spent most of my life in North York. I am a real estate broker and entrepreneur. I was involved in Catholic education and I am on the board of the Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese of Toronto.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I feel I am the best candidate because I was active in the school system when my children were younger. I am now a grandfather and care deeply about the quality of Catholic Education. I am aware of the issues. I have been a successful real estate broker and entrepreneur for almost 30 years. I want to bring my business and financing experience with integrity to the board.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
The most important issue would be ensuring that our children have a quality of education that they deserve. This has become increasingly difficult due to the erosion of trust from parents to the school board. It is important to restore this trust.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
I want to make changes for students and teachers so programs run efficiently on budget. I want to collaborate and have greater communication with parent leaders and administration. I want to make the board decisions more responsible, accountable and transparent.
Paton, Ann
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Reid, Barrington
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Rizzo, Maria
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Davis, Jo-Ann
www.jo-anndavis.ca
1. Introduction – Name, age, profession.
Profession: I am a Senior Associate at Leman Group, a management consulting firm that specializes in executing major one-time multi-million dollar change initiatives, like merger and acquisition integrations and corporate turnarounds, for some of Canada’s leading corporations, government ministries and agencies.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I am concerned about the future of Catholic education in Toronto. The growing negative public sentiment towards Catholic schools threatens the public funding for future generations. The Catholic board is in need of transformation and Catholic renewal, and trustees answering a call to serve by:
-Providing Catholic leadership by example
-Providing our students with the opportunities and tools to develop their whole Catholic person
-Being accountable to, and representing our, Catholic community
-Advocating on behalf of Catholic education.
My active involvement in two parish communities, my work as a Catholic and civic volunteer and advocate, and my experience leading complex multi-million dollar initiatives demonstrates – I believe – my willingness to lead, my ability to work with others, and a spirit of service.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
Ward 9 is a large and incredibly diverse ward, but if I were to name one important issue I would highlight that in our ward, over 30% of grade 3 and 6 students achieved EQAO results below the level to succeed in the next grade. We need to put in place the right safety nets for those children at risk and in need of individual attention - and ensure that our teachers have the support they need to respond to the individual needs of all our students. This has been area where budgets have been cut for the last several years – it is an area that will need to be re-examined if we are to ensure that our children our succeed and discover their true talents.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
Our top priority is restoring trust is our Catholic education system. It will take time to undo some of the damage to the reputation of the TCDSB that has been done. Ultimately we will be judged by our actions and those must clearly demonstrate Catholic leadership. I would look to address it with my fellow trustees in the short-term by:
-Having a board-wide town hall as soon as possible after the election
-Fulfilling our promise to a balanced budget, and bringing trustee expenses in line with that of the TDSB.
-Creating formal points in the process for the Catholic community to provide input before key decisions are made
-Rolling-out new methods for regular and consistent public engagement like virtual town halls, and developing a new user-friendly website which provides easy disclosure about what we’re working on and how the Catholic community can become involved before decisions are made.
LeBlanc-Miller, Catherine
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Kennedy, Angela
www.kennedyfortrustee.ca
1. Introduction – Name, age, profession
Angela grew up in the Beach, and has worked at The Toronto East General Hospital for the past 40 years she is currently employed as an RN and Certified Diabetes Educator. Angela was educated in Catholic Schools-Corpus Christi and Notre Dame and St Joseph’s School of Nursing. She is married to Alistair Kennedy a Chartered Accountant and volunteer hockey coach with the North York Knights. She has seven boys and four grandchildren all of whom attended Catholic Schools.
Angela has served in volunteer capacity on executives of PTAs now school councils, provincial parent organization (OAPCE). She also was president of ONA local 115(TEGH) for ten years. Angela founded Kateri Kids Child Care Centre in 1991.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
Why am I the best candidate for the Catholic Trustee ward 11
• I have proven leadership qualities
• Impressive track record for past 3 terms as trustee ward 11
• Student centered
• Accountable
• Collaborative
• Committed to the students and parents of ward 11
• I have experience, passion and commitment
• I understand trustee role to be that of governor and advocate
• I will ensure that policies are in place to guarantee transparency
• I will ensure that the budget is balanced
• I will be there to represent the wishes of the voter not the wishes of a special interest group
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
The important issue for ward 11 is declining enrollment. This decline over the last few years has meant that a secondary school St Patrick’s which is built for 1200 students is only at 50 per cent capacity. There was a school accommodation review that took place over the past year, which included all the secondary schools in the area. The consensus was that the school would have a change in the program offerings to attract more students. St Patrick’s school would be a school with an art and music, and design technology focus. There would be boundaries placed on each of the other 4 schools. The boundaries around the other secondary schools would mean that the overcrowding at all of those schools would be alleviated. I will monitor the progress of the new program offerings at St Pats and ensure that all the plans for the secondary schools will lead to success.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
My priority is to govern the school board so that all students will enjoy an excellent education that will see our graduates formed in Catholic Faith. I will be a steward of both human and financial resources to ensure our students will receive what they need to go out into the secular world as good Catholic citizens.
To restore the trust and confidence in Catholic Education I will:
Contribute and provide leadership to a respectful working environment.
Ensure implementation of the Policy on Code of Conduct as per Provincial law to standardize codes of conduct for all boards.
Ensure that teaching staff are aware of our constitutional right to only teach the parts of the curriculum that are authentically Catholic.
Ensure that policies are in place to safeguard taxpayer dollars and that educational dollars are spent on students.
Ensure that accountability and transparency are maintained by consulting with stakeholders and partnering with parents, community organizations and the archdiocese.
McCabe, Brad
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Morrison, Kevin
www.trusteekevinforward11.com
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
Kevin Morrison, 35, independent marketing communications consultant. Resident of St. John’s Parish on Kingston Road.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I am the only candidate seeking election in ward 11 that has children enrolled in a Catholic school. I have played a leadership role in my community as chair of our school council. I have attended TCDSB board meetings and CSAC (school council) meetings and I am aware of the issues that face our schools. I have the endorsement of the Greater Toronto Catholic Parents Network, the Toronto and York Region Labour Council, Catholics United for a Reformed Ballot and most importantly my own community. I am a church going Catholic and I am active in my parish and community.
On August 20th 2010 the ward 11 trustee (Angela Kennedy) was removed from her position by an Ontario Superior Court judge for conflict of interest. In May 2008 our board of trustees lost control of the TCDSB as a result of financial mismanagement and a trustee expense scandal. As a Catholic voter and a parent I am deeply concerned about the integrity and the poor example of governance by our current trustees.
I am the only candidate that can be trusted to move the board forward and to restore its reputation. I hope and pray for change on October 25th.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
The biggest issues facing parents, children and teachers in ward 11 is an ever growing equity gap between our schools created by underfunding. Over the past two trustee terms the financial mismanagement of the board by our current trustees has meant that a provincially appointed supervisor has had to drain tens of millions dollars out of our schools to repay the debt that the current trustees created.
In more affluent communities parents subsidize their schools with contributions and fundraising. However, in most communities in ward 11 the parent community are not able to raise significant funds to subsidize their schools. I believe that parents should not have to subsidize their children’s education.
The children at schools in less affluent communities are forced to go without and this problem continues to get worse every year. This situation is inequitable and socially unjust. If elected trustee I commit to finding ways to bridge this equity gap at the board level. Ideally I would like to see a committee made up of parents and staff from across the system to address these issues and build stronger school communities for all our children.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
The first problem facing trustees is to regain control of the board and get it out of provincial supervision. The current supervision process means that the democratic rights of our children and the 472,000 Catholic voters in Toronto are not being represented at the board. If the Catholic electors of Toronto return a clean slate of trustees I am confident that the ministry of education will have the confidence to transfer control of the board back to trustees that we can all trust.
The next order of business is to review and pass a new code of conduct that is currently being reviewed by the board. The current proposed code of conduct needs some amendments to make the actions of trustees and board employees more transparent and accountable. It is my hope that a well drafted code of conduct will help avoid the corruption and scandals that have plagued the TCDSB for the past term.
The next and equally important issues include securing new funds and administering current funds to get much needed resources flowing back through the school system for textbooks, computers, facility repairs etc. I would like to see the return of the Arrowsmith program for special needs students. The list is endless.
Ward, Ryan
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Baeta, Julien
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Guérin, François
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
François Guérin, 47, Mediator for the Government of Ontario.
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I am running for re-election. I want to finish what I have started which is to increase the number of French Public schools in my ward (Scarborough - North York - North Toronto). Ecole Laure-Rièse will be relocated in a new state of the art facility as of September 2012. Opening of a new school in South Scarborough should follow. I want to study possibility of a new school in Finch - Leslie area.
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
Access at a reasonable distance of French-language public schools. See answer above.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
Now that the new facility for Laure-Rièse has been resolved, work on the two new schools described above.
Nzeyimana, Frederic
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Bégin, Denys
1. Introduction- Name, age, profession.
Denys Bégin, 49, French Language Services Coordinator with the Central East Local Health Integration Network (CE LHIN)
2. Why do you think you should be elected as a school board trustee in your ward?
I am seeking a third mandate. My platform focuses on:
a. the need to open new French Public schools;
b. to increase the number of students in the French Public schools; and
c. to continue to make good decisions for the benefit of all students within the French School Board (CSDCSO)
3. What is the most important issue among the schools in your ward? What do you plan to do about it?
The most important issue in the Toronto South ward is to open new French Public schools to better serve the Francophone students in the area. I plan, with the help of my colleagues at the French Public School Board (CSDCSO), to discuss with both the TDSB and the TCDSB the possibility of purchasing one, two, three schools that they are closing to serve the needs of the Francophone community. We need new French Public school in the East and the West part of the Toronto South ward.
4. If elected, what is the first problem you would address and how?
The first thing would be to negotiate an agreement with either the TDSB or the TCDSB to purchase schools that are available and not used by the School Boards.
L'Heureux, Jean-François
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
Dufour Séguin, Nathalie
Candidate did not return requests for comment.
