The Quesnel Observer asked all SD28 candidates the same four questions. They were limited to 300 words.
Donelly Clement declined to participate, while the remaining 12 candidates provided answers to these questions: A. Can you tell us a bit about yourself? B. What prompted you to run for school board? C. What do you feel are some of the challenges/concerns facing School District 28? D. How do you plan to address those challenges? E. What are a few fun facts about yourself?
Going into my first election eight years ago, I thought I was going to change the world. I have since learned that the role of a trustee is to help guide changes by setting policies and procedures. We CAN change the world by nurturing our students, but changes do not happen overnight, they happen with small incremental steps that add up in the end.
I think it is vital to talk to the students and staff in the district to hear firsthand how they feel things are going and what suggestions they have. Obtaining this grassroots knowledge helps me make more informed decisions. I do not always vote the same as the other trustees and have felt the heat for this in the past, but I was elected as an individual and to represent a portion of our community, so that is what I do. I vote on decisions that are best for our students.
Every decision should be able to be seen through the lens of what is best for the students. This is done by keeping the dollars in the classroom, participating in true consultation with our partner groups, and continuously advocating for the needs of our district. Whether it is more funding for facilities, staff, or services, mental health, or transportation. I speak out at the local level, regionally and provincially to have the voice of the Quesnel district heard.
We are a small district, but we do not have to have a small voice. Each trustee has a responsibility to keep educating themselves on our districts’ needs, to learn what the community is feeling and to continuously advocate for those needs.
Please take the opportunity to vote for your representative on October 15.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
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