Party affiliation (if any): None
Education: BCIT Electrical/Business
Occupation :Firefighter
Previous political experience :None
Residency: Mission
Community involvement: District PAC Chair, coaching in schools, Summit PAC Chair, volunteering in many school events.
Marital status/children: Married for 23 years, 5 children.
Email: tcv@telus.net
Social media: scottfortrustee.com
What do you feel are two key education-related issues Mission voters should be considering when choosing trustee representatives in this civic election?
Why, and what would you do to address these issues?
As a parent and DPAC/PAC chair I have been listening to community concerns in our district for four years. The current reconfiguring of our schools addresses many of the Middle/Secondary concerns. Now other improvements requiring funding will take a back seat while we find a way to pay for reconfiguration.
Also of concern to parents and teachers is that classroom resources such as books and digital technology are out of date or non-existent. I propose the development of a district wide plan to address the resource needs for delivering 21st century learning. Strategies should include K-12 and reflect best practices in the classroom, not just getting the latest gadgets. This plan should be developed by visionary teachers who are empowered to think outside the box. It will require collaboration with parent groups and community partners. While funding is scarce, like other districts, we can find creative solutions to moving forward!
Another easy improvement that won't cost anything is changing the way our school board interacts with the community. Currently the public participation allowed at board meetings is a question period at the end of the meeting after decisions are already made. I recommend a fifteen minute public input session before meetings. This could be managed with some clear guidelines. When we hold public forums they should be conversational with dynamic dialogue for the purpose of community consensus. Currently our processes are static with the public giving comments and the board going away and making decisions. 21st century leadership seeks to engage all stakeholders and go forward with shared vision. Let's modernize our public input processes, much the way Jim Pearce is leading parents through collective conversation at the new secondary school "Think Tank" meetings. I have been and will continue to be about community consensus, not the loudest voice.