My Responses to Questions from the Central Okanagan Teachers Association (COTA)

1. As Boards of Education cope with underfunding of the system, some have turned to alternate sources of support. Outline your beliefs on private/public partnerships, corporate and non-profit sponsorships, and the need for school PACs to fundraise in a 21st Century Learning environment.

I believe that any kind of sponsorship outside of government funding impacts the universality of Public Education. The practice of private, corporate and non-profit partnerships seems to be growing, and I believe we should all step back and take a long sober look at this practice. The more we delve into this world, the more the provincial government will abrogate its responsibility.


2. In the past, some School Boards have submitted needs budgets as opposed to balanced budgets, in order to highlight funding shortfalls. Identify your views on this practice.

First of all the provincial government will not allow deficit budgets which, unfortunately, results in the cutting of services. This practice has put School Boards’ backs against the wall causing some of them, the larger districts like the Central Okanagan, to try and attract International Students to top up their reserves, so to speak. I believe that most districts, Central Okanagan in particular, have tried to maintain direct services to students, which is what I will do as well.

Now, do I agree with this practice? We wouldn’t be having this conversation if the provincial government funded school districts more adequately. Even though funding education has increased, it has not kept up with the real cost. So, technically, funding to education has, indeed, decreased. I believe that we have a responsibility to balance the budget, but I also believe there should be some margin of flexibility as well, particularly smaller districts who have little recourse.

3. What do you believe to be the most pressing problems in our school district?

• Dealing with the present job action so that it does not affect the progress of our students;
• Resolving the dispute between the BCTF and Provincial Government;
• Continued lobbying the provincial government for adequate and stable funding;
• Short-term and long-term facilities plan;
• Conducting a comprehensive public consultation process regarding the future of the French Immersion program.


4. Public education often involves a juggling of the competing interests of its different partner groups. Outline what you consider to be the School Board’s role in such an environment.

The Board’s role is to govern the delivery of a quality educational program to our students. Our focus should be “is it good for children?” In doing this, I believe we should be examining our budget allocations to all areas of the budget to reflect delivering a quality education to our students. This certainly would take into consideration the working and learning conditions of teachers.

5. What will you do to ensure that students with special needs receive the support that they require in order to succeed in school and in life? Who will you speak to in order to find out what those needs are?

I believe our service to students with special needs has been eroded due to the inadequate funding from the Provincial Government. I will encourage the Board to lobby our government for adequate and stable funding. I will also review our own budget allocation procedures and the system we use for designating students and the communication process between those involved.

I will speak to teachers, school administrators and parents to get more information on the needs of all of our students.

6. Please outline your involvement with, and commitment to public education.

I have been involved for over 30 years in Public Education as a teacher, school administrator and parent. I believe in the universality of Public Education. I believe that teaching is a noble profession and I will work toward raising the profile of educators and education in general in the public eye.