Party Affiliation: None
Education: Langara Community College; BSDW Training 1 and 11. Riverside Trades & Skills
College- Community Cares; Indigenous Cultural Competency Training
Previous Political Experience: None
Residency: Mission since 2000, before this I was born and raised in Vancouver
Employment: Education Coordinator and Social Development Worker for the Leq'a:mel
First Nation. Co-chair at the University of the Fraser Valley Aboriginal Community Council, participant
at the Misssion Child & Youth Council Committee; and representative for Leq'a:mel at the Siwel Si'wes
committee.
Community involvement: Currently serving on the Mission Optimist Board as a Director and as the School Liaison. Active member of the District of Mission Community Cultural Resource Commission. Active Executive member of the St.
Joseph's CWL as the Community Life Liaison. Serving the homeless at Hope Central; past committees
and volunter work include but not limited to are: Volunteer Coordinator for Envision Concerts at Fraser
River Heritage Park; Heritage, Park Secondary School PAC and Dry Grad; 2014 BC Winter Games; Mission
Soccer Board, Mission RCMP Citizen's Patrol; Mission Fest; JOOI club.
Family Life: Married to Kevin MacKillop; two children, my son, Greg is 34 years old and resides in
Vancouver with his wife, my daughter in law, Lorraine and my second child is Veronnica, she is 18 years
of age and just recently graduated from H.P.S.S. and is attending the UFV.
Email: kathleen.mackillop@gmail.com
Webpage: kathleen mackillop for school trustee
What do you feel are the two key education-related issues Mission voters should be considering when choosing trustee representatives in the civic election?
Q. 1 - I believe Mission voters may be asking how we are going to work with the reconfiguration of the school
While I believe the reconfiguration is a good move, it was done quickly. As a trustee I would like to be involved in the already planned, “monthly think tank” meetings.
I want to ensure that if the parents could not make it to the meeting then we as trustee get to the parents, the students and the faculty whether that means we have meetings set up at schools in the afternoon, early evening and maybe on the weekends. I believe we need to create working groups to address the various concerns and begin to work on this collaboratively sorting through all the gathered information. I believe the students from all three schools need to be part of the decision making. I believe our students will understand the process of consultation and collaboration allowing them to share their fears and concerns with the decision making. If I were elected school trustee I would be prepared with my fellow trustees to take on the high school project and facilitate the break-a-way groups within the set up workshops.
I believe after consultation and collaboration with parents, students and faculty, in the bigger picture all those affected will see the benefits and for those that may have had reservations/anxiety will feel assured of their safety of an all “inclusive” education system.
Q. 2 Do you believe Riverside will benefit our students in the next 4 years?
Riverside is a hidden gem in the Mission School District and under- utilized in our Education system. We are continually hearing about the trades for the future in BC. Riverside can benefit our students to sustain our supply of qualified trades’ people. Academics are not for every student. The trades are a viable opportunity allowing some students to succeed and transition within a lucrative career. More students could equal more funding!