Ontario Community Newspapers

Waterloo Chronicle (Waterloo, On1868), 9 Nov 1994, p. 15

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l!CEEI [2m Iamthettugteewiththebeatattew dance record - 97%. I am chairperson, Employee Relations Committee and Vice-chairperson, Special Education and Environmental Advisory commit- tees. I am a member of budget, man- agement, program and quality education. I initiated the Trustee Guidelines Committee. I am a librar. ian with two children in public school. I will bring the perspective of a par- ent and taxpayer who has spent the last four years gaining broad knowl. edge of the vital education issues in Waterloo Region. This includes learn. ing a great deal about educational standards and teaching approaches used elsewhere in Canada and the rest of the world. Y?hatathxtntogetleqertue . J,21'/t'1'ltgt'?gSli1',,t"" I have my Masters degree in Eng. lish, taught part-time at Conestoga College before becoming a trustee and have served three years as a public school trustee, visiting every school in Waterloo several times. I have three children in our public schools and have been a classroom volunteer for nine I am the owner (in partnership with my wife) of two small businesses in Waterloo. I have six year’s experience as a trustee and 32 year's experience in teaching which has included from Grade 1 to adult education and from gifted to severely retarded. I am seeking this office to provide service and leadership to my commu- nity. I believe that a strong and cost effective board of education is vital to the future of our youth and commu- nity. In my role at the Food Bank, 1 have seen firsthand how important it is to obtain a decent and appropriate Uttdredirttttina-anduti- ttatotaiMart,Wooh'iettaoettrrtunity 'tsri-ttmtl-tis. Initiathethgattt%dtsutirtgrink, tki-ChtuttatmmyP.t1. Undmiartdirtgtfaurieuturnia-: TYainaiasartadvmatem'thuanting DiaatititiasAame.ofthttan'o,Memtxe ofPtmmtaoftheDettf. I bring the uperieme of three rams on the board and active service on cial education and the Community Education Council. My advantage would be that I do not belong to any special interest group and therefore, I can represent all students equally the following three areas: REDUCE DUPLICATION 0F SER- vrCES-Weasaitoexaminehowour Ixopettytaxssaareetatlmthehtnl boards; TRUSTEE ACCOUNTABIL- ITY - We need a system where trugtaesmrxsivtrlesspay forpoor atten- dance; CURRICULUM - We need a system where children are well edu- cated in the basics of reading, writing 'Whatwillbe priorities ._. mam? may”!!! and arithmetic. b) Make sure that trustees have enough information to do I popujob ofhadgatmaking . e) Establish moderate Mud: and tmtatotnahourrsthtirtuetmst a)Continued rationalization and streamlining to deliver the best educa- tion for the best cost, b) Introduction of usable, standard, quality assessment. Outcomes will be used to change schools for the better. This includes improved eotnmunica. e) Supporting our public school sys- tem and continuing to work hard for ML the people of Waterloo. The number one priority is for qual- ity education with high standards developed locally, not by the province Number two is to flat-line taxes by investigating other non-tax sources of revenue. Also needed is a closer work- ing relationship with business and industry tt)'Ndimtsttttdingtothedaatr "soen,rrtthtslmardruxtt a) To raise academic achievement by focusing on both the 'old basics' (read. ing, writing, science and math) and the 'new basis' (problem solving, com. puter technology, march and entre. preneurial skills). i b) To increase the involvement of parents and of business and industry in our schools c) To limit the education budget to were per cent increase a) The development of clear, chal. lenging standards b) Balance and common sense in the use of proven teaching approaches, c) A-shm in oeriditig emphasis toward the classroom level with no overall increase in education costs. a) Completion of the restructuring muss to reduce administration and tkrw more funds to the clam. b) All schools should be fully involved in dedsions which affect their community through site-based man- _c) A creative transportation system whigh plaets tmphysis, or) younger amazed and team's the budget. Ieuld liktto momplish results in I: it pouible to maintain student 'ervitsinthefaeeirevertueredutr tion? How? It is possible to maintain and improve student services if and only if the board prioritizes in-class suppon. In the face of declining revenues, Stu. dent services must take priority over other administrative areas No, most of the "fat" has already been cut. To maintain the current level of service additional revenues are needed, There are many ways to increase non-tax revenues eg, sale of services such as curriculum develop- ment to smaller boards. Yes, by focusing our spending on classroom needs and by downsizing at the administrative level Our annual professional development budget ts approximately $1,000,iX)0 This can be considerably reduced, The provincial trustee association charged us over $130,000 last year alone. We should opt out of this expense. Absolutely. Delivering more quality for less cost is just as Important m edu- cation as it is in business. have been large expenditures at the board oititoe, eg. telephone system, that would have been better spent on the ma Yes, it is, by reducing administrative positions, expanding shared services with the separate school board and charging other boards for curriculum development. Continuing reviews of every department and service will allow the board to make adjustments and reductions wherever posible. Any savings ankf be applied directly to the student. Yas.ietramattittingIxitriti" ssothatrnateyitsdirrxtaitotheda- rrmen.Ttteeearrs3,400t-taatrior 3,700 (too my sum trtatr).Tttere The board has trimmed adrtunistrw tion and decreased waste. I have had to make many dimcult decisions - for example, declining busing requests. to keep the quality of education Waterloo‘s schools m three years will have improved academic standards which can be monitored by regular testing. The administration will be we tmtatkiertt and mknad Waterlais schools m three years mil build on the excellent repuumon they have thmughout the country In order to build on this foundation. we need strong leadership that emphasizes UV class suppon, student4txussrd educa- tron, fiscal responsibility and teamwork, l believe that Sean W Strickland can help lead the Waterloo County Board of Education into the ma century. Waterloo's schools m three years \nll still be amongst the best m the province The cuts that have been necessuated by the economy will also create a greater focus on the truly Important aspects of education and will lead to a more emaent delwery of 'ehagiinthmerarsusti. Waterlods school m three years: mll a! focus on academic achievement bi consistently use a variety of 35593st methods Including starr dardlzed Istmg and teacher assess» ment to ensure that all students are meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations Waterloo: schools In three years val) have demonstrated clear endence of Impmwd academic results and usable skills for all students Waterloo: schools m three years mll I hope, still be 1n excellent sharw We should have outcomes. assessment and communication However, If we elect people who msh to have special schools, we will see a decline m the quality of our present nelghborhood schools I support quality educallon for ALL our children Waterlods schools in three years will be safe and industrious, producmg quality programs and semces to ch11» dren at all levels of learning, Involved With parents and community partners Theywillteasntalpartoftheheartof the community and focus on prepanng students for the future cl be safe places where wolem and discrimination are not tolerated and where honesty. and sound work and study habits are promoted m iS Fa' 'a/ttKris/ji-ft::. 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