Ward<$ trusteen wants to carry parental concerns to Board level By KATHY YANCHUS Oakville Beaver Staff "‘The perception is.that these teachers are trying to run the system," said Cole. "I like to think that the board is a cross section of citizens with a lot of talents. I‘m not running as a teacher. I‘m running as a parent and ratepayer in Oakyville. I bring to (the campaign) educational awareness. I think being a teacher is an asset not a liability in working with people at the table." Cole said she is well versed in educational issues on a local, regional and provincial level having served as a member of the advisory committee of the Children‘s Assessment and Treatment Centre (Oakville) and a member of the steering committee for the Better Bridges Project, a provincially funded pilot project which delved into ways the community could better serve the emotional health of children within a school setting and ultimately "increase ‘ownership‘" while heading off violent behaviour and frustration. "We wanted to increase parents‘ participation and awareness and a sense of parents belonging to schools," said Cole. As she makes her campaign rounds in the neighborhood, Cole said parents and nonâ€"parents alike are concerned about the issues of communication, accountability, finances and program changes and measurability of those proâ€" gram changes. "Much more informal, frequent, personal and honest listening is necessary," said Cole. "A trustee needs not to pay attention just to one special interest group or another, but in everyone‘s best interest, to interpret what is being said, and to share accurate information where it needs to go...an effective trustee needs to be able to recognize and cut through the specialized language educators too often use, to ask tough questions and to recognize the difference between substance and appearance in answers." "At a system level, this means at the very least to increase and improve partâ€" nerships with other community agencies and institutions, the Separate School board, business and industry." As a parent and taxpayer, Barbara Cole thought it was "an important thing" to throw her hat into the Ward 3 ring for Halton public school trustee. "People have to do community serâ€" vice," said Cole, a resident of Oakville for 20 years with two daughters who have gone through the Halton school sysâ€" Cole said her special interest group is children. "I care very much about children," said Cole. Cole, who holds a BA in Political Science, an MA in English and a Masters in Education, is a teacher with another board "which I know makes some people uncomfortable." Cole said the time has come for the board to use its resources in more ecoâ€" nomical and productive ways. West Oakville Ratepayers‘ Inc. Date: Thursday, November 3rd. 1994 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: St Dominic‘s Parish Hall 2415 Rebecca Street WARD 1 â€" Sponsored by: aé- ‘![w%. » * Inspect friction materials â€" _ * Inspect rotors, drums, hoses connections LUBE, OIL FILTER CHANGE 0 MaX|mum of 5L Motorcraft Oil (tube it required) for an assessment of your problem ials incluge most cars and light trucks. Expires Nov. 11/94. Environmental charge of 1$ will * Check all hoses clamps * Pressure check for leaks e Check all belts = Check antifreeze What a Deal Only @!U"J mm BB Spires Nov. 11/94 All specials include a FREE exterior car wash If so, please call: (905) 277â€"9882 where applicable