School Board Candidates – Week 3

 

Joyce Bazant 

Why should a voter mark an X on the ballot beside my name?

The reason a voter should mark an X beside my name is that during my two terms as trustee I have strongly advocated for children’s education. I’m deeply committed to providing an ‘equitable’ education for all students. I have the time and knowledge to lobby the government for the funding and resources to guarantee we can successfully provide the programming needed to educate our students. Our students deserve to have access to a wide program of studies, workable class sizes and a suitable environment for good quality learning. I will continue to work with parents, teachers and community members to provide these opportunities. I am and will continue to be open, approachable, and accountable.   

I have spent a lifetime living and working in this community and have enjoyed a long history of volunteering for the betterment of my community. Working with Wheatland Further Education for over 25 years shows I am committed and have a passion for providing educational opportunities for all ages.  

I am open to new ideas, thus giving our children, our greatest natural resource, the opportunities and experiences that they will need to deal with our fast paced and ever changing world.

On October 18th I encourage all residents to vote. I am asking for your vote … vote Joyce Bazant for school trustee.

 

 

Janet Bolinger 

Many people have encouraged me to run as a School Trustee in the upcoming election so I have taken my comments from them.

• EXPERIENCED –  have served as a trustee in this system for 14 years over a period of 23 years.

• KNOWLEDGEABLE – am very familiar with Wheatland County, as I grew up in the N.E. quadrant, taught, married  and raised our family in the Gleichen-Cluny area, and moved as a family to Strathmore in1987. I am familiar with the schools in the Drumheller and Three Hills Municipal Division, and as a farming family, we have done business in these areas.

I also know the issues, having received phone calls even when I am not on the board.

• APPROACHABLE – No situation or concern is too small to discuss and I am easy to talk to. Although my husband might disagree, I am a good listener and responsive to these concerns.

• HONESTY AND INTEGRITY – must be part of a  school  board and a school system as all educational leaders, educators and trustees are in a position of trust.

• TRANSPARENCY – is essential if a school system (including the board) is to earn this trust.

I have always valued a School System that stands for EXCELLENCE.

Please vote on Monday, October 18 at the Strathmore Civic Centre.

 

 

Larry Tucker

I must start by saying that I am not overly fond of self promotion but I guess it has to be done. Why should you vote for me? First, I think I am all the regular things you should be to pursue a job like trustee … honest, trustworthy, hard working, enthusiastic … etc. But more importantly there are three things I think that qualify me for this role.

I love our kids! I have dedicated my entire working life to the well being of the students in our school system. I would like continue my involvement now that I am out of the schools. I am, and always have been, a strong advocate for students and their right to a superior education.

I have 32 years of experience in the schools, as a teacher, counsellor and administrator. I think this gives me a good understanding of the kinds of things trustees need to be aware of and how those things affect students in the classroom.

Finally, I recognize the importance of our teachers and support staff. They are the heart and soul of our system and deserve all the consideration and support we can give them. I hope to do that.

If you will, vote for me. If not, just be sure to vote on the 18th. Thanks.

 

 

 

WARD 5

 

Robert McKay

At this level of government, I believe an election is less about trying to convince people to vote for me, than letting the public know what I stand for, what strengths and perspectives I bring to the office of trustee and then letting the voters decide if I’m the person they want for that office.

I am a firm believer in the importance of rural students receiving an excellent education. That is why I served for 13 years (1976-89) on the Berry Creek School Division No. 1, nine of those years as chair. 

That is also why I ran last year and was elected to finish out an incomplete term on the Golden Hills School Division board. My previous years of school board experience give me the experience to know the job of a school board and its trustees, and my last year on GHSD, has given me background to the particular challenges facing this division.

While there are students in Ward 5 who will take all their schooling in Strathmore, there are many others who will only take a portion there or none at all, instead attending school in the communities of Rockyford, Carseland, Hussar, Gleichen or Standard. While these schools can’t offer the variety of programming options Strathmore schools can, I believe they can and do offer the solid educational basis students need in order to achieve their goals and dreams.

I believe that it is important to maintain a school presence in communities where one exists, especially for the sake of the younger students. As such I think GHSD needs to continue to support these smaller schools, because rural education is less about buildings than it is students, teachers and communities that care, and this area has them all.

 

 

Shelly Neal

My children are young. Every decision that is being made today affects them and our quality of life. There have been many decisions made by the current school board that are not in the best interest of our children or our communities. For the past five years I have stepped up and become involved in education because I believe that it is important to my children’s future and to the future of our communities and rural lifestyle. I am not afraid to stand up for what is right. Our children’s voice needs to be heard. When making decisions that can so drastically change our lives I will ensure that I have listened and heard all viewpoints.

I will work towards ensuring that:

• Our children have stable community schools to attend.

• Children’s time is spent in the classroom not on a school bus.

• Our schools are properly staffed so that our children’s safety and

education are not compromised.

• Parents and the public have an opportunity to be involved in decision

making and are informed of decisions that have been made.

• Specialty funding, such as small school by necessity, is directed to

those who generate it.

• Schools are funded by program not by student number

Being a parent and having grown up in Rockyford I know the challenges that all of us face as parents and community members. I also know that the most important thing we can do for our future is to invest in our children’s education. I want to ensure that every child has access to the best education, and that access should not based on where they live. Rural children have a right to be educated.

Vote Shelly Neal on October 18.