School board candidates outline their first priorities if elected

It’s a simple and concise exercise: list the three most important problems a newly elected school board will need to address.

That was the question posed to the 18 Vancouver School Board hopefuls who showed up to the all candidates’ meeting at John Oliver secondary on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Each candidate was asked to list those priorities in 30 seconds or less.

The following list is in alphabetical order and includes party affiliation. The answers have been condensed for clarity. Vision Vancouver candidate Ken Clement was not at the meeting.

Alexander, Joy (Vision Vancouver)

1. instill good governance practices to bolster teacher recruitment
2. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them
3.  restore programs that were previously cut

Arnold, Christine (Independent)

1. teacher recruitment to fill the need for about 30 full-time equivalent teachers.
2. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them
3. “re-set” the relationships between trustees, staff and the Ministry of Education

Ballantyne, Fraser (NPA)

1. bring back stability to the district through fostering positive and collaborative relationships with all stakeholders
2. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them
3. re-establish programs that have been cut

Bercic, Carrie (OneCity)

1. repair relationships with the Ministry of Education, applicable unions and parents
2. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them
3. restore programs that were previously cut

Day, Diana (COPE)                                                                                          

1. recruit teachers and administrators, specifically those of Indigenous descent
2. implement a curriculum rooted in Indigenous reconciliation
3. a third option was not provided

Dominato, Lisa (NPA)

1. address leadership and stewardship at the district through hiring a new superintendent and establishing updated workplace policies
2. improve communication with the public and parents
3. teacher recruitment to fill the need for about 30 full-time equivalent teachers

Fraser, Janet (Green Party) 

1. repair relationships among trustees, staff and the provincial government
2. offer supports to teachers already working in the district and others who’ll soon be hired
3. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them

Gonzalez, Estrellita (Green Party)

1. establish a new workplace culture
2. establish a positive relationship with the Ministry of Education 
3. nake sure teachers have the resources they need

Hamilton, Jamie Lee (IDEA Vancouver)                

1. clarify the role official trustee Dianne Turner will perform once the new board is in place
2. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them
3. build new schools

Jaaf, Erica (OneCity)

1. ensure all stipulations from the Supreme Court ruling around class size and composition and new teacher hires are followed through
2. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them
3. teacher recruitment to fill the need for about 30 full-time equivalent teachers.

Lamb, Theodora (Vision Vancouver)

1. address challenges around classroom sizes and compositions
2. advocate for special choice programs and student needs
3. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them

Lombardi, Mike (Vision Vancouver)      

1. attract, retain and recruit new teachers
2. establish new relationships with board members and the Ministry of Education
3. expedite seismic upgrades and new school construction by getting the necessary project agreements with the province signed

McDowell, Robert (NPA)

1. establish new regulations around good governance
2. provide supports for the new teachers coming to the district
3. infrastructure delivery: seismic upgrades and the building of new schools 

Pick, Adi (Independent)

1. teacher recruitment
2. establish positive relationships among board members and staff
3. ensure funds are in place for seismic upgrades and the construction of new schools

Prieto, Julian (NPA)

1. establish positive relationships with senior staff and the province
2. commit to delivering a balanced budget
3. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them

Richardson, Christopher (NPA)

1. foster healthy workplace culture and relationships with the province
2. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them
3. recruit new teachers

Wong, Allan (Vision Vancouver)

1. build confidence and relationships at the district
2. ensure seismic upgrades are delivered to the roughly 60 schools across the city in need of them
3. ensure the money forthcoming from the Supreme Court ruling around class size and composition is delivered to the district

Zaichkowsky, Judy (Green Party)

1. hire qualified teachers and other staff
2. ask retired teachers to help address the gap in teachers on call
3. lobby for seismic upgrades and update technological equipment for schools district-wide

The election is Oct. 14.

@JohnKurucz
jkurucz@vancourier.com