We asked candidates to fill out a questionnaire about their background and their positions on some issues facing their communities.
Here are their answers, as submitted by them.
Candidates
The Sooke school district has seven trustees elected from two zones.
Four trustees will be elected from the Belmont zone:
- Cendra Beaton — Website | Facebook | Twitter
- Bob Beckett — Facebook | Twitter
- Russ Chipps
- Wendy Hobbs — Website | Facebook
- Ravi Parmar — Website | Facebook | Twitter
- Dianna Seaton — Website | Facebook
- Blair Sloane — Website | Facebook | Twitter
- Trudy Spiller — Website | Facebook | Twitter
Three trustees will be elected from the Milnes Landing zone:
- Robert (Bob) Phillips
- Neil Poirier — Website | Facebook
- Britt Santowski — Website
- Margot Swinburnson — Facebook
- Allison Watson — Website | Facebook | Twitter
Belmont
Cendra Beaton
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I am a devoted volunteer in our schools and on multiple parent groups. I have been on many governance boards over the years. Previously voted president of the local Sooke Chapter of Canadian Parents for French (CPF) for 4 years and then was elected as a Provincial Director for CPF Bc & Yk in 2017. I have lead efforts that have brought addition funding, resources, supports, and events in our schools. I have been a strong advocate and collaborated for a quality education at the school board level, in many committees, and all levels of government since 2014. I have a great foundation to advocate and support our public education and will be a positive addition to our board.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
As a longtime education activist and a parent to kids currently in our public schools locally, I feel that I can be a tremendous asset on the board of education. I will be able to relate and understand the impact of my decision making as a trustee with a direct connection to students in our classrooms. I believe in our public education wholeheartedly and want to make a positive difference for all. Let's keep building on our successes together!
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
Growth is currently our greatest challenge with Sd62 being the fastest growing district in BC, we need to continue to voice our needs for space and adequate resources to meet the needs of our kids, staff, and both of our public education programs in this district collectively.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
Bringing a current parent voice to the board, such as myself, and having that direct connect to what is happening right now in our schools will bring a student focussed perspective to the table. I highly value equitable resources, support, proper space, inclusion and a sense of belonging, collaboration and engagement with all. It's about growing together and helping to equip and prepare our kids for the future.
Bob Beckett
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I have worked for several municipalities as well as the Province of Ontario for over 41 years which has given me considerable insight on maters of governance, budgeting and finance, as well as the need for creating harmonious relationships with both external and internal stakeholders.
I have also been very involved with various community groups such as the Rotary, minor hockey, YM-YWCA, and deployed on several humanitarian missions to many struggling countries/communities.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
The public education system plays a critical role as it shapes and develops our children and our community.
An education today is not just about academics, it is about giving our children the best possible experience they can have, so that they may succeed in all aspects of life – personal, post secondary education, and work force.
I am looking to be elected to help ensure that our children continue to receive the best possible education and that the community’s needs are addressed.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
1. The need to continue to assess the impact from rapid growth, ensuring that physical and human resources (teachers and staff) keep pace with enrollment.
2. As the need for new schools, additional staff etc., are identified, securing adequate funding from the Ministry of Education is critical.
3. Our Teachers and staff are critical to our children’s education and overall experience, so the board shares in the responsibility of creating an organization that recruits only the very best.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
Rather than speak to one specific “big idea” I would rather like to focus on the need for enhancing relationships, communication and partnerships with all our stakeholders so that we collectively ensure our educational and community goals are realized. Todays challenges associated with rapidly growing enrolment, limited finances etc., must be seen not as challenges but opportunities to explore and find synergies in unique and innovated ways.
Russ Chipps
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
elected experience ,Chief of Beecher Bay - Board experience , Centre Mt developments ,Spirit Bay developments , south island rep for FNHA , Board member ITHA , IMAC monitoring comity , Land Swap Metchosen, Beecher Bay , Langford the moving of municipal boarder
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
The students .For the last 10 year, I’ve been working with trustee’s , superintendent of SD #62 . I’ve been to graduations ,class rooms ,school events . Heard the needs of the students . As a board member I can implement these hopes and wishes of the students , will always encourage them to gradate. I have said this before SD #62 is the best district because of students ,parents, staff . Which make it possible for children to grow to their full potential.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
We need more class room space ‘’schools’’ for the increasing amount of students in the district . No more portables there are to many. Teachers and student and staff don’t need to be out side in the elements moving from room to room . I would also be focusing on anti bulling, as i believe every child as the right for safe school.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
‘’Equality ‘’if we learn to treat each other as human-beings at young age it will be natural when they are older.
Wendy Hobbs
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I am proud to have been a trustee for 7 terms. My extensive experience and knowledge has assisted me greatly in advocating for a strong public education system that supports all learners. I was the Board Chair for 6 years during the building of our two new high schools which gave me extensive experience with working with our community and our municipal partners to bring this project to be completed on time and on budget.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
I am running because I am passionate about contributing to our schools and supporting students. I believe children are our most important and precious resource. I believe I have made a positive difference in the way the school system equips them to start their adult life and want to continue working with the community to focus on student achievement with the guidance of the districts New Strategic Plan.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
We need to continue to advocate for a funding formula that is predictable, fair and sustainable without this it is very hard to plan for the districts future. We need money for our capital plan, this includes land an funding to build new schools as we are experiencing a tremendous growth which is predicted to continue over the next ten years. We need money to update our aging buildings including seismic upgrading. Teacher recruitment will continue to be an issue as we continue to grow.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
As a school district we have to make sure we focus on engaging students in areas of interest and meaningful learning so every student has the opportunity to be successful. We need to create an inclusive school environment that addresses the needs of all student. We want students to develop strategies to address mental health issues and nurtures resiliency.
Ravi Parmar
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
My community experience began as a 16 year old student at Belmont Secondary School, an aging, contaminated building. I led a student movement for two new secondary schools in the West Shore, an effort that contributed towards the building of the two new secondary schools.
In 2014, as a result of my passion for public education, I was elected as a trustee in the Sooke School District. In 2017 I was elected by my peers as Chair of the Board, a position I hold today.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
As an SD62 graduate, I am passionate about the school district. I believe that public education is the most significant institutional undertaking in a democratic civil society. The last 4 years as a trustee have been very rewarding. The board has undertaken a number of initiatives through our strategic plan that I would like to follow through to fruition. This is a crucial time for our district in terms of our exponential growth. I feel I can provide the necessary continuity to deliver results.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
SD62 is the fastest growing school district per capita in BC. We need to build new schools to accommodate our rapidly growing community. I will continue to provide a strong voice to convince the provincial government to make capital investments for new schools in our community.
As in other school districts, inadequate funding of public education continues to affect all areas of the system that lead to student achievement. I will advocate for more sufficient funding for our district.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
It is my belief that communication is the bridge between the school district and its stakeholders and the community. As Board Chair I strive to continue to strengthen those bonds and will make this a priority if I am re-elected.
Dianna Seaton
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
During this past term I have served as Vice-Chair, Aboriginal Education Council, Education Committee, BCSTA Provincial Council, Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee, BC School Centred Mental Health Coalition and the Westshore Literacy Advisory Committee. Also, I have been involved in a variety of other community organizations such as Rotary and Prince Edward Branch Legion. Formerly, I served as a Trustee for Greater Victoria Public Library and as an elected Director for to the BC Library Trustee Association, and Coordinator of the Langford Lavender Festival.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
My Motivation for running for Trustee is our students and working with an extraordinary team in SD62 who have developed a positive culture that is collaborative, respectful and productive. SD62 is known for our exponential growth, innovation and leadership. I am equally motivated by the current opportunity to provide innovative learning options and learning spaces for our students that growth has provided. I am looking forward to using the knowledge and experience I have gained as a Trustee since 2005 to meet the diverse future needs of our district to prepare to our students for the future.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
The Top Issue is growth and maintaining the momentum for acquiring land and building new schools. Portables are not an option. I am committed to implementing the SD62 Long Range Facilities Plan that clearly defines the future needs for the projected growth by 2028. I am committed to building a new middle and elementary school located in Westhills as well as the replacement of Millstream Elementary. Also, the acquisition of land in Colwood and Langford for new elementary schools, a future secondary school in Langford, and a new Post-Secondary institution in the West Shore for our graduates.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
The Big idea is to implement our Strategic Plan that guides every aspect of our District. As one of the fastest growing school districts in B.C. this plan will help shape SD62 as we look ahead to the future. Along with new schools we must continue to provide a variety of new innovative, flexible, learning opportunities. I am committed to supporting students of all levels and ability from Kindergarten to graduation with evidenced based programs, such as Nature Kindergarten and the Wellness Centre at Belmont, that have been successfully implemented in SD62.
Blair Sloane
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I currently sit on two condominium/strata boards, and have active membership in others. I have filled executive positions including President, Vice and Past President. I attend professional development sessions and research to improve my ability to serve those communities. In my education employment, I have sat on teacher association and union committees, and held the position of Teachers Union President, Vice and Past President in Jasper, Alberta. I was school representative for the Sooke Teachers' Association. I have had the experience to sit on provincial education committees.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
Public education should instil the lifelong ‘love of learning’ in students. To this end, our schools need proper funding and all resources focused on students. To learn, students must feel safe, valued, wanted and welcomed. Every child deserves to be included in a classroom of their peers. Every learning need of every student should be addressed.
I think inclusion and diversity is worth every penny we pay into public education.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
Inclusive Education means all students have a place together in the classroom. This will require funding for more teachers, educational assistants, counsellors, psychologists, health care providers. Small class size is essential. Facilities, materials and other resources must be purchased. Advocacy for this model is crucial. Further government defunding as we have known it over the past two decades would spell disaster to the Inclusion Model and perhaps public education.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
Wellness is essential for student success. Student anxiety in the classroom is rampant. Untreated, it cripples, isolates, depresses, demotivates, and puts the student at risk to unhealthy behaviours. Developing a wellness lifestyle will encourage academic success and will promote resistance to substance abuse.
Imagine our classrooms illuminated by the inner light of it's learners.
Trudy Spiller
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
SD62 First Nation's role model since 2011, past board member for Victoria Native Friendship Center, former Employment Insurance board of referee employee rep. X7 years, past board member of B.C. Aboriginal Networking Disability Society, past board member of Status of Women's Action Group, Hospital Employees' Union organizer, Hospital Employees' Union chair of First Nation's standing committee, CUPE National Aboriginal Commission, Esquimalt/Saanich/Sooke Vice-President, Esquimal/Metchosin member at large, Foster parent since 2005 of great niece and grandson
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
I am running because I am a concerned parent who believes that a parents voice at the Board table will not only strengthen decision making but will create more openness and transparency in the decision making process. As a SD62 role model, I have had the opportunity to sit in the classrooms and observe how teachers are overworked with very few resources. I have seen first hand , difficulties teachers experience with unbalanced composition .
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
SD62 is one of the fastest growing districts in the province so there is a real need for more schools. Royal Bay is less than 4 years old and already the district is adding a additional 600 spaces and portables. I would say the district needs to review the facilities plan and ensure that it not only meets the growing needs of the district in the next couple of years, but in the next 10-20 years. The projected growth needs to be considered so students remain in their catchment.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
School districts are moving towards inclusion for special needs students and I want to ensure that none of our most vulnerable students (including those who are dealing with mental health issues) are left behind or fall through the cracks.
Milnes Landing
Robert (Bob) Phillips
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I have been a SD 62 trustee for 19 years having served as both Board Chair and Board Vice Chair . I have10 years experience as a Director of the Otter Point and Shirley Residents and Ratepayers Assoc ( OPSRRA ) . I am a past Board member of the MS Society of Victoria and the Independent Living and Housing Society . I am a past Director and Vice President of the Health Sciences Association of BC . I spent 4 years as a volunteer teacher inAfrica with Canadian UniversityService Overseas and the World University Service of Canada .
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
Public education is the foundation of democracy and the primary vehicle for all of our children to find and follow their gifts and passions and to succeed in life and work . A classroom in BC should be like the Charter of Rights and Freedoms "in action " . I know this form my personal experiences . I have experience as a clinical social worker , teacher ( including college and university ) and contract negotiation and administration . This has prepared me to be an effective trustee.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
First is the dramatic enrolment growth in SD 62 that will remain for many years . SD 62 must find land and secure funding to build the schools our children and families will need ...not easy in a time of tight funding . Second our Province must determine educational priorities and funding to secure a new collective agreement with our teachers in consultation with our School Districts and Boards of Education .
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
Our Province has been plagued with educational controversy so much that we lose sight that our K-12 results are the best in the English speaking world . We need to research our success rather than dwell on differences and conflicts . A key starting point is the upcoming teacher negotiations for a new and modernized contract that respects teachers and pedagogic research .
Neil Poirier
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
I ran as trustee originally because my children started school when the Liberals were elected. For years we only ever saw cuts so I got involved. Joined my kids school PAC then the DPAC and finally ran for Trustee. I’ve been a trustee for seven years, my kids have graduated, I am running because it is the most fulfilling job I have. There is lots of work to be done, growing number of special needs student, Per Pupil Funding, rapidly growing district, contract year and I have a lot to offer.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
Advocate for capital funding to address aging district facilities and for the construction of new schools to address the rapid student population growth, specifically a new elementary school in Sooke.
Providing open and transparent governance on the Board that encourages public participation to promote student interests.
Ensure teachers and students have the support and resources required to creating safe, inclusive and respectful school environment to improve student achievement.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
The Liberal government brought in per pupil funding at a time when school districts were shrinking. Sooke throughout that period was growing and that model never worked for us. The NDP government is re-working that formula and I will advocate for our district to get fair and equable funding based on that growth.
Britt Santowski
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
The majority of my community experience as it relates to education comes through my work as a parent (advocating for my child), and through my work as a daily newspaper publisher (pursuing issues like population growth, plans for expansion and/or new schools). The daily also publishes a Youth section, established in collaboration with the EMCS Youth Coordinator.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
Today, we are experiencing change (esp technological) at a pace never before experienced. Employment is changing, pre-requirements for employment is continually in flux, work tools are continually re-invented and improved. If the students of today are going to reach their full potential as the leaders of tomorrow, they need to learn in an environment that embraces the demands of the future. I hope to play a role in that shift.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
Immediate concerns are rapid population growth, bussing, french immersion attrition, and improved communications to parents. Items to be addressed in the longer term include expanding bullying awareness to include a technological framework, incorporating Indigenous education throughout the curriculum, and getting more females in the trades. Homelessness and poverty are also quietly ongoing issues.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
The immediate functional concerns facing the Sooke School District are population growth: having the schools and the busses. Needs come first. Second is space (schools) and safety (bussing, bullying). Longer term is growing into the an unknown high tech future; this needs advocacy.
Margot Swinburnson
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
Elected 1999.-present
Serve as SD62 Representative BCSTA Provincial Council 2005-present
Member BC School Centered Mental Health Coalition
Member Local Action Team, Westshore, as well as attending Collaborative meetings from Doctors of BC Initiative re Mental Health and Addictions in Youth
Member BCSTA Mental Health Working Group
Board Member Sooke and Juan de Fuca Health Foundation
Member Sooke Literacy Initiative
President Juan de Fuca Commmunity Land Trust
Member and President 2018-2019 Rotary Club of Sooke
Involved in the past with many local organizations such as Sooke FIgure Skating Club and SPLASH, the Sooke Pool Lobby Association that lobbied for and in a successful referendum for a Pool in Sooke
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
- Use dual perspective (nursing and education) to advocate for sustainable mental health and addictions preventative strategies and solutions.
-Advocate for better communication between agencies, school, families to support youth
-Make sure, with all the growth pressures on the Belmont Zone, that Milnes landing school and busing needs are not neglected
-Continue my advocacy for the best education for all our kids, all the time
--Honour the Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement (Na'tsa'maht )
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
Growth in the Western Communities and Sooke, with pressure on us for more schools to meet the needs. Infrastructure issues related to this. (Safe Routes to schools)
Mental health is an ongoing issue with family pressures and more youth facing anxiety and other issues. This goes in hand with the overdose crisis, and how we can support out youth in choosing not to experiment with drugs, and if they do how we,along with their families can support them to quit
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
Seamless, positive solution based service. Where any child enters in Kindergarten and graduates from Grade 12 with knowledge and skills to approach the next part of their life with confidence. We are building the citizens of tomorrow, and we need to always remain focused on that despite the many variables that come into the school year.
Allison Watson
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
As a life time resident of Sooke I am proud to say I went through k to 12 in our very own John Muir, Journey Middle School and Edward Milne High School. I have extensive community volunteer experience including Marine Search and Rescue, Sooke District Grants Committee, Sooke Fine Arts and Edward Milne Community Society. My mother worked as an Education Assistant in the same schools I attended throughout the years.
Why are you running? What's your motivation?
I was born and raised in Sooke and now I am in my 30’s with two young children. I have life experience, education and professional experience under my belt with two girls as my drive for contributing to their future in the Sooke education system. I want to know that who they decide to be will be welcomed in their schools.
What do you think are the top issues facing your district?
Three out of the four schools in the district that need to be replaced are schools in Sooke. My professional experience in advocacy will ensure Sooke’s schools are equally prioritized with the Westshore’s when proposals are put forward.
Sooke has unique needs due to demographics when managing emergency preparedness. Additional emergency supply costs should not fall on the parents. I plan to secure additional funding to meet the specific needs of Sooke schools and ensure disaster readiness.
What's one "big idea" you have for your school district, or an issue you would like to tackle?
We are in a time of great hope as our schools become a relevant and welcoming space for all students. My background/education in curriculum design in support of the Truth and Reconciliation's calls to action will contribute to this transformation. Students are learning in a very different environment from as little as a decade ago. I want to look at remunerating students with course credits for their partnership in creating a learning environment that adapts to these changes.
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