Candidates vying for a seat in Western School Division's Ward One this election participated in an all-candidates forum Tuesday in Morden. The event was hosted by the Western Teachers' Association and CUPE Local 5238.
There are six people running for four positions around the board table.
The group was asked a set of five pre-determined questions as part of the forum. They were:
1. Western School Division has become an increasingly diverse community – racially, spiritually, economically, etc. What do you believe Western School Division can do to meet the needs of our diverse community?
2. Western School Division operates on a governance model that delegates administrative authority to the Superintendent. Are you familiar with the governance model and do you believe it is effective in an educational setting?
3. Staying informed about issues, events, morale, spending, etc. is an important responsibility of a school trustee. How will you stay informed about what is happening in the schools?
4. Our school board is accountable to the public in its decision making and practices. How will you assure that Western School Division operates in a manner that is transparent to the public?
5. What do you think Western School Division can do to address, improve and support the mental health of students and staff?
Click here to view a video of the full forum.
The candidates were also given three minutes at the start to present their opening statements. Below is a full transcription of those statements listed in the order they were presented.
Lisa Burley
“My husband, Brandon, and I are the Parents of four really great kids. I'm thankful to have had the privilege of staying home with them in their little years. They all go to schools now in this community and have benefited from every aspect of learning, including mental health and speech therapy.
I am so grateful the gift of amazing teachers and staff who are truly experts in their work. They give above and beyond what's expected. My kids have all learned so much, and I have even heard a child on occasion, say they love school.
Now with my youngest in kindergarten, I have time to give back, and since I will have children in Western School Division for the next 12 years, I believe I would be able to be a good representative of the parents in our community.
Like many other candidates, Bill 64 caused me to reflect on the value of choice - local choice and representation in decision making around education.
Importantly, the changes to our school system proposed by Bill 64 substantially risked a reduction in academic outcomes in Western School Division by standardizing educational and social programming, removing local and accessible elected accountability, and destroying the important rural lens in decision making.
As a parent and through volunteering, I have already seen excellent outcomes in Western School Division. I know there is always room for improvement, and as a trustee I would seek to support all facets of education and continue the good work that's already being done.
With the increasing number of students enrolling, I know it’s imperative to have more schools, staff and resources. Speaking to a number of teachers, I have heard the voice, the need for more Resource and staff. With crowded schools, things become less efficient as there is often more wait times to fit everyone in, kids start to fall through the cracks because there isn't time to attend to their needs.
Additional school staffing resources will achieve more excellent outcomes for our students, but this cannot happen with provincial funding freezes and unjustified forays in the jurisdiction of our school board.
If I'm elected to school board trustee, I will support the positive decisions that have already been established in Western School Division and am excited to be involved in future improvements.”
Incumbent, David Guenther.
“Brene Brown says, ‘what we know matters, but who we are matters more.’
And that's as true as it is in our boardroom as it is in our schools. Our schools have to accomplish the fundamentals of math and reading and writing. But on top of that, our community expects graduates that have like-leadership qualities – ambitious, empathetic and compassionate citizens.
Having grown up with learning difficulties myself, I've seen first-hand the time and energy that it takes to pour into a student to help them be successful. What was poured into me from my parents being advocates for me, to teachers who also went to learn more so they could tell me to be successful. And so, my gratitude for the adults in our division and the classmates who were encouragement is just immense.
So now, as a trustee, I am so thrilled when we get to support and to pour in the community resources to making sure every student makes progress and is individually successful despite their challenges.
Previously, I worked in the schools as an EA for seven years. And so, I got to work with students with exceptional needs and I got to practice my values and what was modeled for me of helping students find belonging and encourage them forward alongside their teacher.
So, I'm currently employed with Menzies Medical Center, which works in a similar path as what my life has been, is that we're supporting people to reach their potential, and that's what I want to be here for.
So, my priority is always kids first. Obviously, our students matter and that's why we're here.
My priorities for the school revolve around supporting students who need it, whether that's academic or mental health, having an inclusive environment, and the well-being of our staff who care so tirelessly for our future.
I fully support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action, especially in our school system, and that's having age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, treaties, Aboriginal people and their history and their contributions to Canada.
I'm here with the kids-first, compassionate approach and I’m driven to be a fair representation of our community in the boardroom. I'll listen to, and I will appreciate the community who wants to share their insights and innovation to improve education here and learning in Western. And I will always be accountable to you for the decisions made in that boardroom.
My name is Dave Guenther. Your voice and your vote matter, and I can't wait to serve another term as trustee here representing our community of Western School Division.”
Susana Hawryshko.
“I have lived in the Morden community with my husband and daughter for the past 16 years.
I graduated from the Faculty of Education in 2000. Since then, I have completed a post-bac in Special Education and a second post-bac with a focus on counseling, adult education and school administration.
I started my teaching career as a business admin teacher, working as a business admin accounting instructor at the post-secondary level.
I am currently teaching ACE – applied commerce education, or business courses and technology courses at Garden Valley Collegiate, and I have experience working with students both in rural and urban settings, online, and through independent study options.
I have also worked in several Adult Ed programs and have worked as a writer and curriculum developer for Manitoba Education.
I've been wanting to run for school trustee for quite some time. I have always been passionate about education, specifically inclusive education, as well as anything to do with student engagement, student learning, and of course business and technology education.
I have a daughter in Grade 3 at Minnewasta. I am intrigued by how the school system works in the early years and the importance of learning the basics of reading, writing and math as a foundation for learning new skills later in life.
In addition to academics, I believe schools should work towards developing influential leaders, innovators, good citizens, aware consumers, students with a solid foundation to work as a team, to express their creativity, to problem solve, to build strong community relations, and to commit to lifelong learning.
School boards are a link between the community and the province, and along with the Superintendent, they act as navigators for families that have questions or concerns about their schools. School boards look at educational funding and access to quality of education.
I am eager to be a member of such a board, to learn as much as I can around on the board, and to work toward getting the most funds and resources for our students.
I am extremely passionate about education and have been for most of my life. I believe that everyone on the board has the best interests of Western’s students in mind.
As an educator for over 22 years, I believe that I will be a strong addition to the team. I work well in a collaborative environment. I enjoy open discussion. I have a strong worth work ethic, and I enjoy working with others.
Morden is a great place to live and I'm grateful to be part of the community that I love.”
Incumbent, Barb Petkau.
“I have served as a trustee in Western School Division for four terms, 16 years.
Overall, I have learned the operations of the board over the years. This learning takes time.
I have served on many of the board committees over my time. I am quite familiar with them all.
I have a good knowledge of the budgeting process, definitely something that is not learned in a year or two. Experience and understanding is huge in order to make the informed decisions for the next year. There were years when tough decisions had to be made. It's beneficial to have the history. You need to give it your due diligence when using public money and be transparent when doing so. People want to know and see where their tax dollars are going, and rightfully so.
We learned very quickly the provincial government does mandate a lot of our decisions. Sometimes what we really want, you don't necessarily end up getting. Some things just don't happen in a four-year term. One example being a new school. This was being advocated for way back in my first term. In fact, it was on our five-year capital plan ever since our last school, which was Minnewasta School, awarded and finally opened in 1990. So, a new school is not just to credit the last board, but many boards before
I have been on the other side of the table. I know how to listen.
For many years, I have been involved in several levels of the educational system.
We're presently waiting now on approval on a new school. This will definitely help with overcrowding issues we are facing at the present time. But even when this happens, we need to know what to do in the meantime. Our schools are full. Our enrollment is growing, and the space issue needs to be addressed. A new school will not be built overnight.
My vision for Western School Division is to have a caring and safe environment for all kids to learn. With the increasing diversification of students and staff, it is important that we support both students’ learning and staff needs as well, in a caring environment for kids to learn respect, empathy and resilience. These qualities will be used throughout lifelong learning. Also, we need to help students become good citizens regardless of their path.
In closing, I believe new, fresh ideas along with the mix of continuity is required for our board to continue moving ahead in the direction we are.
Being a Western school board trustee has been my passion. It’s not always easy, but I feel I've made a difference.
I will listen, advocate and absolutely do whatever I can to address your concerns. I will continue to work hard. I am about getting work done – plain and simple.
So, on Wednesday, October 26th, I ask for your vote.”
Liz Reimer.
“Since the fall of 2009, when the oldest of my three children, who graduated in June from Morden Collegiate, started kindergarten at Maple Leaf School in Mrs. Sloan’s class, I have been involved in the schools.
At Maple Leaf, I have held the positions of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary for the Home and School Advisory. I've helped raise funds for every play structure on that playground, minus one set of swings. I have planted new trees, served a lot of hot lunches, volunteered as lunch monitor and I have listened to many students read while sitting on the floor in the hallways.
My youngest is now in grade 8. At EMMS, I've been Treasurer and presently in sitting as Chair of the Parent Advisory Council or PAC. I have flipped flash cards for the grade fives. I have served lunches to teachers, chaperoned dances and I have taken a lot of bus rides over the years as a volunteer for field trips, whether it is has been to the zoo or listen to the Symphony or to the Festival du Voyager at minus 25.
My second is in grade 11 at MCI. There, too, I sit on the PAC, help where I can, wanting to do what's needed to ensure there are students and staff there are cared for and that the parents feel that they too have a voice in the education of their children.
My goal has always been, how can I, as a parent, be a bigger voice to ensure the students in Western have a better education, ensure concerns of other parents are heard and addressed?
I've been employed to work with high school students, first as a Career Development Facilitator for the RRTVA where it was connecting students with community, and then Junior Achievement is Co-Program Manager, a program that helps high school students develop real life skills for the workplace and equipping them for post-secondary.
Running for trustee just seemed like the natural next step.
I care about the school and the community. I am actively involved in both the school and in the community.
I appreciate the focus Western School Division has had on numeracy and literacy programming, and I would suggest that core programs in 21st century skills have a higher level of importance. 21st century skills include such things as communication, both verbal and written, critical thinking, life skills like leadership, social skills and productivity, just to highlight a few.
Continued supports for the mental well-being of both staff and students is real, and important.
The need to fill the gaps, again, left from remote learning should also be part of the board plan.
I sit on the board for The College of Pharmacists Manitoba, and we always come back to the question - is this the best for the patient?
As trustee, my question really is, is this the best for the student?
On October 26th, I ask for your vote.”
Incumbent Darcy Wolfe.
“I am interested in serving on the school board because Morden is my home, and just like all of you showed up here today, I care about its future. and its future is in the schools. The thriving, diverse and welcoming city we live in today is, in large part, a result of the education received by past generations in our local schools.
I believe that providing a high quality, inclusive and relevant education to every child is essential for the future flourishing of our community.
Although there have been some challenging moments, my first four years on the school board have been incredibly rewarding. I take my role seriously and I am proud to have brought your questions, concerns and ideas with me to the board table.
The positive progress the Division has made during my term is something I hope to continue. In the past four years, our division advocated successfully for local voice and helped defeat Bill 64. We kept schools going during a global pandemic, we got air conditioning installed into all of our schools, and we finally achieved the approval of our first new school build in over 30 years.
But that's not all we did.
In this opening statement, I wanted to talk a little bit about one of the things I am most proud of, and that is the new Board Priorities Plan that was developed during my first year as a trustee.
After taking the pulse of the community by engaging directly with the public, local businesses, parents, staff and students, we held on to three past priorities, which are; improving student learning, encouraging adventurous achievers and deepening community relationships. And we decided to add a new priority, and that is, inspiring a culture of integrity.
The idea to add this new priority was sparked when the Board was asked a few simple and, at least to me, very interesting questions.
What does it mean to be educated? And what are some qualities you think of when you imagine an educated person?
Our division’s #1 goal has always been, and will continue to be, improving student learning and focusing on giving our students the literacy and numeracy skills necessary to find success. But with this new divisional priority, we expanded our idea of what it means to be educated to include people who act courageously with personal responsibility, empathy, ethics, leadership, resilience. It's integrity, gratitude and honesty - this is what I believe our community is about and this is what I will work hard to represent.
The chair I sit on around that table, it's not my chair after all, it's your chair. And if I'm re-elected, I will continue to be your voice and work with the integrity and transparency you expect, with the goal to educate and develop our future leaders and our future neighbors next door.
My name is Darcy Wolf, and next Wednesday vote for me.”
Election day is October 26th.