Candidates Questionnaire Week One: Why They’re Running and What Their Priorities Are
Welcome to the first in a series of weekly articles we’re calling Candidate Questionnaires. Once a week, The Nest sends school board candidates from all six major political parties one or two questions, for their written responses to be published here. Responses are only edited for clarity.
Last week, we asked candidates two things:
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
Their responses are below. Candidates have been grouped by their political party, listed in a randomized order. Candidates under each political party are also listed in a randomized order. Please send your questions to ehnewspaper@gmail.com, and enjoy learning about the people running for your school board.
Vision Vancouver
Aaron Leung
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
As a community leader, I know the importance of public schools, for students, parents, teachers and staff. School is where I learned to be socially engaged and civically minded. And for too long, the voices of young people haven’t been heard in our civic institutions. I’m running to change that.
For three years, I chaired the City’s Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee working to amplify and connect youth voices with decision-makers at City Hall, the School Board, and the Park Board. There I worked to ensure that public schools stayed in public hands, get better active transportation infrastructure for students and families, and worked on new family housing guidelines for more livable homes.
I’m stepping up and running for the Vancouver School Board because I know what it’s like to grow up in a system that’s underfunded. I know what it’s like to see your friends not get the services that they need. I’m running so that the next generation of students will have integrated mental health services, modern facilities, and services and supports that will help them thrive. I’m thrilled to be running with the Vision team who has the experience and expertise to deliver a public education system that we can all be proud of.
Hilary Thomson
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I’m a lawyer, former PAC chair, and the mother of four children who go to Vancouver schools. Schools can have an enormous impact on our sense of belonging in the city. I’m running because I want to make our schools more inclusive, and more responsive to the needs of families and children, particularly children who need more support. I’ve joined the Vision team because I was impressed with their experience, and their dedication to putting students first.
I believe all students should be able to get high-quality educational services in their neighbourhood schools - no matter what part of the city they live in. We need to advocate for funding so students and educators have the tools they need to thrive. If elected, I will also work to ensure that the district follows through on implementing anti-racism, non-discrimination, and accessibility policies. I also believe we need to collaborate with the Province and advocate for proper funding for seismic upgrades, and also for new schools in growing areas. I want to be a trustee that listens to families and centers students, families, and educators in all that I do.
Steve Cardwell
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
My key motivation for running for the VSB is to support student success and well-being, ensure access to safe neighbourhood schools and advocate for more resources for improved teaching, learning and working conditions. With more than 40 years in public education, my background and leadership experience has prepared me to respond collaboratively to the most significant challenges affecting the school district.
I was Superintendent for two school districts and concluded my K-12 career in 2015, having served the students, parents, and community in Vancouver for five years. This gives me a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of our vibrant school district.
I have visited every VSB school, and have a strong understanding of how schools function. As such, I know the processes and practices of our school system and the Board. I also know the people involved – our parents, unions, key partners, government, and community.
I will ensure good governance that respects all members of the VSB community. I will work within the collective of the board with full transparency and open consultation.
Allan Wong [incumbent trustee]
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I want to advocate for and to ensure that the Vancouver Public Education system is properly and adequately funded to ensure the success of every student (K-12, adult education and childcare). It currently is woefully underfunded. I want to ensure that programs are available to students. I want to ensure all students feel a sense of belonging in their school - to continue revisiting the District’s anti-racism and non-discrimination policies and align administrative procedures that support students, staff, and parents. I want to continue to aggressively lobby the Province to expedite the seismic mitigation program and build new neighbourhood schools in high enrolment areas in the District.
Kera McArthur
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I am running for school board because I am committed to creating inclusive schools that work for children and families. And I’m excited to be running with an experienced team of candidates who are dedicated to an approach to governance that is responsive and collaborative.
I am the mother of two and I am the treasurer of my parent advisory committee (PAC). For six years, I served on the board of a non-profit that provides services for youth facing significant challenges. As someone who went through school with undiagnosed learning disabilities, I also understand how tough school can be for children with learning differences. I want to ensure schools are places where all our children can thrive.
Finally, I have spent 12 years in the education sector, working in various administrative positions at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. In these roles, I have developed knowledge and understanding of education policy, governance, finance and infrastructure development. I know the challenges and opportunities facing the education sector, and I want to bring that experience to the school board.
Answer to Question 2*
*Vision Vancouver submitted a collective response to this question, and has been asked to provide individual responses from each candidate in the future in the interest of fairness.
Vision’s Shared Top Priorities
We believe all children should be welcome at their neighbourhood schools no matter where they live in the city. Children should be able to attend seismically safe, accessible, inclusive schools in their communities today and for generations to come. We support keeping public lands in public hands.
Decolonization, Indigenization and Reconciliation, including implementing the new Indigenous curriculum requirement following the principle of “nothing about us without us” and increasing Indigenous participation in governance.
Schools must be places where all children can succeed and should have access to the support and programming they need there. We are committed to ensuring adequate funding to support diverse learners, particularly children with learning challenges and from equity-deserving groups;
We believe that schools have an important role to play in creating a robust and inclusive childcare system in Vancouver. We are committed to building a seamless before and after-school childcare program across the city.
We know that there's more work to do to foster justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our schools and across the district. We are committed to working with students and stakeholders across the district to implement anti-racism initiatives.
The pandemic has shone a light on the importance of mental health and well-being. Despite the challenges experienced over the past two years, students and staff have shown amazing resilience. The Board must encourage and support greater awareness and access to health and wellness programs for all students and staff.
Vision school board candidates believe in the important role of advocacy and community consultation. As trustees, we are committed to collaborative advocacy with other community groups and strongly advocating to the provincial government.
OneCity Vancouver
Kyla Epstein
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I care about protecting public education and advocating for funding that reflects the realities of the district. We need to make sure that students with a range of diverse needs can thrive and that every teacher and worker has the tools and resources they need.
Being a child of a teacher (my dad was my kindergarten teacher!) and being a parent of a Van Tech kid, makes me feel strongly that students in every neighbourhood should have access to the wide range of programs that the Vancouver school system offers and the tools needed to adapt to a constantly changing world, including the current pandemic and the climate emergency.
I chose to run with OneCity Vancouver because we believe that every family should be welcomed at their schools, and be able to safely access the services and information they need to support their young people.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
I am ready to take unapologetic, bold, and concrete action to address climate change, social justice, racism, and any form of discrimination in our schools.
I will also push to fully implement UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) across the school district and develop reciprocal relationships with local First Nations for all planning decisions, especially those related to school board land - land that must be protected for current and future generations. This means not selling it off for short-term gain and undertaking real long-term planning in collaboration with the City Council and the Park Board.
Another thing I care a lot about is governance. How we make decisions is meaningful. I know from my eight years as a Vancouver Public Library trustee that being able to govern well means listening to people, being comfortable with being held accountable, and considering those who are most impacted by my decisions. It is important to me that it is easy for people to come speak to the school board and that they are listened to.
I can’t wait to talk to you about your ideas, experiences, and what matters to you! You can reach out to me at schoolboardkyla@gmail.com and I hope you’ll visit www.onecityvancouver.ca!
Jennifer Reddy [incumbent trustee]
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
My name is Jennifer Reddy (she/her) and I’m running for re-election as a school board trustee with OneCity.
I was born in the East Kootenays on Ktunaxa territory to immigrant parents who moved to Canada from Fiji. I watched my parents engaging with democracy in their new homeland: going to voting stations, debating the newest policies – all of the reasons why we value Canada and democratic participation so much. I developed my interest in politics and policy from a young age. I am committed to systems change through decision-making and find joy in pushing systems to better support the people they are meant to serve.
Over the last term as a trustee, I have become concerned about the elimination of public input at committee meetings and the continued debate about school closures and land sales. I am running again because with one seat I have already changed the conversation and decisions. I am particularly proud of policy changes and raising awareness on issues like access to neighbourhood schools, protecting school lands, and bringing district-wide anti-racism training to all staff. Please connect with me at jennifer@onecityvancouver.ca
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
Leading up to re-election, I am listening to members of our community, so please get in touch to share your ideas and concerns. As a youth worker and after-school program coordinator, I experienced the increasing pressure placed on public schools to support children and youth with complex needs and these experiences continue to guide me. From adequate classroom resources in every neighbourhood to school food programs, I remain focused on addressing how the inequities in our communities show up in the classroom and how strong advocacy and voice are needed to adequately support children and families in our city. Stay tuned for our platform: https://www.onecityvancouver.ca/.
Gavin Somers
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
Hello! My name is Gavin Somers and I’m a candidate for School Board with OneCity. I’m running for School Board because I believe in the power of educational environments to help shape and transform the landscapes of our society. As an arts-based facilitator and educator, I’ve worked on building relationships with youth and educators to support them in creating more inclusive and welcoming educational environments for years. I’ve seen firsthand how young people so often know what they need to thrive and succeed, but are faced with barriers (systemic and bureaucratic). As a queer and trans person, I’ve spent a lot of my life navigating systems that were not built for people like me, and through that work, I have helped make those same systems more transparent and accessible for others. I believe this to be a transferable skill; one that I hope to use to make public engagement with school board trustees and the decisions that are made at the board more transparent and accessible to the broader public. I also want to use my knowledge and experience to be a part of ensuring that our public schools are supported so that all students and staff can thrive.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
If elected, my top priorities would include a visioning session with the newly elected board to ensure proper short and long-term planning (including a review of existing documents such as the LRFP consultation report), building relationships with students and families to ensure input and engagement, and building relationships with the host nations for future planning. Find me at gavin@onecityvancouver.ca
Rory Brown
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I'm running with OneCity for the school board for two reasons. First, I see a great need to increase fairness across the district. There are so many amazing things happening in schools in Vancouver and as a long-time Vancouver teacher (now teaching in post-secondary), I know that access to this great programming is not available to all families. The inconsistent approach we have now serves some and not others. Currently, where families live and how able they are to advocate for themselves ends up giving their children a better chance of success. There are many examples of this and it just doesn't feel fair or right. We need to make changes. Secondly, the way decisions are made at the VSB has become inaccessible, opaque and demonstrably non-participatory for the public. When difficult decisions need to be made (there are quite a few on the horizon -- think about how many schools need seismic upgrading), the more families and workers at the table discussing and debating the issues, the better.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
The top priorities for me are to open the decisions on facility use and upgrading to as wide a group as possible. I'd like to be on a VSB Board that examines closely the links and structures that exist to allow different levels of government to work together: city, provincial and federal. I'd like to get creative and proactive with the Human Resources issues that seem to plague the VSB. There's an acute shortage of teachers and educational assistants and it's getting worse. We can try to fix that by looking at solutions from other jurisdictions. As stated above, I'd like to have a close look at how programs of choice are populated with students in Vancouver and make sure it's fair and open to all families.
There’s lots to do!
Krista Sigurdson
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I am a parent of two kids at Strathcona Elementary. When I joined the Parent Advisory Council I quickly realized that my role would be that of advocacy. The issues our school faces - e.g. food insecurity, problems with facilities, teacher shortage, etc. - are district issues and not ones that can be solved through bake sales and fundraisers. I served as chair for our PAC and moved into a role as an executive with the District Parent Advisory Council. I’m running because I want to bring a parent advocacy voice to the district level. I know we can support all students and staff across Vancouver, and I’m excited to do just that!
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
Right now it’s hard or impossible for families to access information about how decisions are made at the district level and to make their voices heard. I believe the more people at the table, the better. It is a top priority for me that the district makes transparent decisions that include public input, and that information about how and why decisions are made is available to the public.
It is also a top priority for me that trustees openly debate and discuss issues in front of, and together with, the public. I believe trustees should take an advocacy role in everything from land and facility use (more childcare!), to safe walking/cycling routes to schools, to meaningful engagement with the First Nations, to funding from the provincial government. We must not only preserve but enhance our public education system. Find me at krista@onecityvancouver.ca
Coalition of Progressive Electors (“COPE”)
Suzie Mah
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
As a 35-year veteran teacher and teacher union activist, I have in-depth knowledge of the Vancouver School District's operations and decision-making processes. I want to use my knowledge and expertise to develop and achieve a school system that is more inclusive, safe, and equitable for all.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the district?
Here are some of the key critical issues I want to work on: (they are not in priority order)
1. Chronic Underfunding - In the past 20 years, there have been major program and staffing cuts. We need to be more forceful with the provincial government in advocating for more funding to meet the needs of Vancouver's students. There are fundamental flaws in the budget process. Trustees need to ensure there is a more transparent and democratic process involving all education stakeholders and partners so we can generate a needs-based budget. We must be ready to deal with urgent issues, emergencies, or growth.
2. Teacher Staffing - Recruitment and Retention - We seem to have a huge problem with hiring and retaining staff. We must find out the causes and fix this so our schools are properly staffed so students can get the education that they deserve and need.
3. Implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action - It is critical to engage local Indigenous communities and work on addressing the systemic barriers which not only prevent our Indigenous students from academically and emotionally thriving but to acknowledge and rectify the damage that has been done. We need to provide teachers with the time and resources so they can successfully implement the Calls to Action.
4. Climate Change - We must reduce school district emissions and adopt greener practices.
5. Taking a Stand on Anti-Racism and Non-Discriminatory Practices - We need to continue making progress in eliminating racism and other discriminatory systemic practices, not only in our classrooms but in the broader operations of the school board.
6. Building New schools and Changing School Demographics - We need to speed up the process of building new schools where they are needed. We also need to develop a better plan for schools that are facing declining enrolment.
7. Supporting Democracy - I want to bring back public meetings and I want to revamp committee processes. There needs to be more dialogue between all education stakeholders (including students).
8. Supporting the Arts - Visual and performing arts programs are disappearing in our schools. I want to bring these programs back to schools as they are vital to the mental health of students and a valuable part of a well-rounded education.
9. Supporting School Libraries - Libraries foster the love of learning and improve student literacy. Teacher librarian positions continue to disappear from our schools. It's time to put back full-time librarians in schools and put back books on the shelves.
10. Meeting Diverse Needs - What we used to call the "inner city" has become a sad reality in other pockets of the city. Working class families are losing ground and more families are becoming poor. Families are forced into only physical transiency but educational transiency. We need to aggressively find ways to support these families.
Green Party of Vancouver
Nick Poppell
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I am running because every student in this city deserves to graduate in an inclusive and supportive learning environment. For our students to be their best and feel ready to learn they need to have a full belly and a secure roof over their heads every night.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
If elected, my top priority above all is for every student to graduate and be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the bright futures they all deserve. Along with this, I pledge to:
Work with other levels of government to aggressively expand the food programs and urban farming on our school lands so we can get the best nutrition for our students.
Continue to explore all available opportunities for housing vulnerable students on Vancouver School District lands.
Push for creative solutions to our budgetary challenges and work to ensure that arts programs are better funded.
Janet Fraser [incumbent trustee]
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I am running because I want to ensure that every student in the Vancouver School District graduates with dignity, with purpose and with options for the next step in their lives.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
To bring into students’ lives - to take words into actions - the three goals of the new Education Plan which are to:
improve student achievement, physical and mental well-being, and belonging
increase equity
continue its Reconciliation journey with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit
This Education Plan was unanimously approved by the Board and was developed by considering the voices of students, families, staff, rightsholders, and the public as they shared their expectations and aspirations for Vancouver schools.
Lois-Chan Pedley
Why are you running for the Vancouver School Board?
I believe the toughest problems faced by future generations need to be solved by people working together, and I want to show my kids, and all students, that it's possible to make big decisions ethically and with kindness.
If elected, what are your top priorities for the District?
My top priority would be to continue building relationships. In this world, relationships are gold - deep, genuine connections are the foundation on which solutions to the world's problems are built. A community of people who care about each other is much more likely to be able to create solutions which work for everyone, and which can withstand the tests of time. So what problems need solving in the district? The first that comes to mind is funding- the District is perpetually wanting to do more for students but provincial funding only covers so much. I'd like to see the VSB find creative ways, through community partnerships, to provide more resources for students. Another one is climate action. While the school board's core mandate is education, if we don't have a world for students to graduate to, what's the point? I want to improve outdoor education and access to nature (studies show that kids who are in tune with nature are more likely to act to preserve it), support ways for the district to cut emissions (e.g. through facility upgrades), and would support students attending climate rallies (which, like, of course, who wouldn't).
NPA, Vote Socialist (no response)
The Non-Partisan Association has yet to announce candidates, and did not respond to multiple questions as to whether they will be participating in this series and when candidates can be expected. Vote Socialist announced their candidates, including Dr. Karina Zeidler for school board, on July 17. COPE’s Rocco Trigueros also did not respond to questions.